Piramal Pharma Solutions Expands Oral Drug Portfolio with Advanced Tablet-in-Capsule Technology

Piramal Pharma Solutions (PPS), a leading global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), has officially commercialized its tablet-in-capsule drug delivery technology. This expansion, centered at the company’s integrated facilities in Ahmedabad and Pithampur, India, marks a significant step in providing pharmaceutical partners with highly customizable oral dosage options.

The Technology: Precision in a Capsule

Traditional capsules usually hold powders or pellets. Piramal’s new capability allows for the placement of multiple, distinct tablets or “minitablets” inside a single capsule shell.

Key Advantages for Patients and Developers:

Combination Therapies: Enables the delivery of incompatible active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) by keeping them physically separated in different tablets.
Dual-Release Profiles: A single capsule can contain one tablet for immediate release and another for sustained or delayed release, optimizing therapeutic impact.
Reduced Pill Burden: Multiple medications can be consolidated into one capsule, significantly improving patient adherence.
Stability: Each drug is optimized within its own tablet environment, protecting sensitive ingredients from environmental factors or cross-reactions.

A “Record-Breaking” Deployment

The project stands out for its rapid execution. Initiated at the Piramal Pharmaceutical Development Services (PPDS) in Ahmedabad, the team moved from initial formulation to commercial-scale manufacturing in Pithampur in just five months.

“By enabling dual actives or dual-release profiles within a single capsule, our tablet-in-capsule technology provides unmatched dosing flexibility. It accelerates timelines for developers and simplifies dosing for patients.” — Dr. Brad Gold, Head of Global Formulations R&D, Piramal Pharma Solutions

Strategic Integration

This success highlights the strength of Piramal’s integrated site network. While the Ahmedabad site led the research and formulation development, the Pithampur site—equipped with advanced technologies like the AF-90T Encapsulator—handled the commercial scale-up and validation.