Colorcon Transforms the Sugar Coating Process With a New Opadry System


Colorcon Inc. recently announces an exciting process development for sugar coated pharmaceutical tablets with the launch of Opadry® SGR, Rapid Sugar Film Coating System. This new aqueous system delivers a more streamlined application process, reducing coating time from days to hours and improving manufacturing safety through the elimination of organic solvents.

Applying science and automation to the art of sugar coating, Opadry SGR means pharmaceutical manufacturers can easily transform their coating process with a faster and more reproducible method using standard spray coating equipment. Although sugar coating is less frequently included in new product development, it is still a preferred way of finishing pharmaceutical products in many areas of the world, especially where less automated equipment is prevelant. Providing a more convenient and faster coating system means existing production can be streamlined and significant savings realized.

Dr. Daniel To, Product Development Manager at Colorcon Inc. explains, “Colorcon carried out extensive research and development to create a convenient, easy to prepare, high-gloss sugar film coating system that delivers speed and flexibility to the coating process. Using similar ingredients to traditional sugar coating means an existing marketed product could easily be converted, saving real time costs; and new products in development can utilize a more expeditious manufacturing process.”

Greater Efficiency Using Existing Coating Equipment

Kelly Boyer, General Manager, Film Coatings at Colorcon Inc. notes; “Opadry SGR is a fully formulated system, color matched to meet the marketing and brand needs, for pharmaceutical products. Through faster processing times, existing coating equipment is better utilized which means further capital investment may also be deferred as production needs increase.” This latest innovation clearly demonstrates Colorcon’s leadership in bringing to market film coating systems with improved convenience marked by speed and efficiency, cost savings and dependable performance.

Company Information

Colorcon is a world leader in the development, supply and technical support of specialty ingredients; formulated film coating systems, modified release technologies, and functional excipients for the pharmaceutical industry. Our best-in-class products and technologies are complemented by our extensive application data and value-added services to support all phases of solid oral dose design, development and manufacture. Our focus on market issues and technology development has earned Colorcon an international reputation as a pharmaceutical supplier of choice. That reputation is based on superior product quality, unparalleled technical support, extensive regulatory assistance and reliable supply from multiple locations. Colorcon has 11 manufacturing facilities, 21 technical service laboratories globally and more than 1200 employees exclusively dedicated to its customer base. For more information, visit www.colorcon.com.