Catalent Invests Over $27 Million to Commercialize ODT Technology

Catalent Pharma Solutions recently announced that it is to invest more than $27 million to commercialize its next-generation oral disintegrating tablet (ODT) technology, Zydis^® Ultra. The technology allows an increased drug load and taste masking to be incorporated into the company’s Zydis ODT dosage form, which is a unique freeze-dried tablet that disperses almost instantly in the mouth without water.

Zydis Ultra allows a patented and innovative drug coating to be introduced during a product’s formulation, enabling the dosage of active ingredient to be up to four times higher than a conventional Zydis ODT, while maintaining its speed of dispersion and superior mouth feel. To date, more than 36 products have been launched using Zydis technology in more than 60 countries. The novel coating technology significantly expands the range of drug candidates that can be formulated using the Zydis ODT platform, including analgesics, anti-allergy treatments and anti-infectives.

Zydis is recognized as one of the world’s best performing ODTs, and has well-established advantages over conventional oral dosage forms, including improved patient compliance, adherence and convenience, particularly within certain patient populations such as geriatrics, pediatrics and patients suffering from disorders of the central nervous system.

“Our team of scientists have been working on the next generation of ODT formulations for several years, to leverage the advantages that the dose form brings to patients in terms of convenience and increased drug compliance,” said Jonathan Arnold, President, Oral Drug Delivery at Catalent. “We have been collaborating with several partners on specific products utilizing the Zydis Ultra technology, and this investment coincides with these development programs reaching proof of concept and full development stages.”

Catalent’s 250,000 sq. ft. site in Swindon, U.K. houses the company’s Zydis fast dissolving tablet development and manufacturing operation, which produces over one billion ODTs annually and employs more than 600 people.

Catalent is the leading global provider of advanced delivery technologies and development solutions for drugs, biologics and consumer health products. With over 85 years serving the industry, Catalent has proven expertise in bringing more customer products to market faster, enhancing product performance and ensuring reliable clinical and commercial product supply. Catalent employs over 11,000 people, including over 1,800 scientists, at more than 30 facilities across five continents, and in fiscal 2018 generated approximately $2.5 billion in annual revenue. Catalent is headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey. For more information, visit www.catalent.com.