Webinar May 2026 – Prof. Bunjes

On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, an online seminar on "Phospholipid-based self-dispersing formulations for the delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs via hard capsules" was held at 3.30 p.m. (CEST).

The speaker was Prof. Dr. Heike Bunjes from Braunschweig University of Technology, Germany.

Here you can download the presentation.

Abstract

Self-emulsifying lipid-based formulations can be used to increase the bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. Phospholipids are interesting excipients for these formulations, as they have amphiphilic properties and very good physiological tolerability. Self-dispersing formulations based on phosphatidylcholines were thus explored for the administration of lipophilic drugs via liquid-filled hard capsules.

Soybean-derived diacyl- and monoacyl-phosphatidylcholines formed homogeneous mixtures with medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) and a semi-solid hard fat containing up to 70 % phospholipids. Several mixtures had rheological properties suitable for filling in hard capsules. Due to their hygroscopicity, the formulations were better compatible with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose than with gelatine capsules. A medium to high loading capacity could be achieved for drugs with melting points below 150 °C (fenofibrate, artemether, cannabidiol).

In contrast, the higher-melting substance clofazimine exhibited low solubility in the formulations. While a high proportion of MCT had a positive effect on the drug loading capacity of the formulations, a higher proportion of phosphatidylcholine was more favorable for their dispersibility.