Piramal Pharma Solutions (PPS), a global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) and a part of Piramal Pharma Ltd., has strengthened its advanced dosage form portfolio with the successful development and commercialization of tablet-in-capsule drug delivery technology at its integrated drug product facilities in Pithampur and Ahmedabad, India.
The newly introduced capability enables Piramal to offer pharmaceutical partners greater flexibility in oral drug development, particularly for therapies requiring customized dosing, modified release profiles, or multiple active ingredients. The achievement underscores the company’s continued focus on innovation, operational integration, and patient-centric drug design.
The project originated at Piramal Pharmaceutical Development Services (PPDS) in Ahmedabad, where formulation development activities were initiated. Within a span of just five months, the team completed a seamless technology transfer to Piramal’s commercial manufacturing site in Pithampur. The process included development of three individual tablets designed to be encapsulated within a single capsule shell, followed by successful scale-up and commercialization.
According to the company, close collaboration between cross-functional teams at both sites played a key role in the project’s success. Technology transfer, quality control, validation, and integrated program management teams worked in tandem to ensure timely execution, regulatory compliance, and consistent product quality throughout development and manufacturing.
Traditional capsule formulations typically contain a blend of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients in powder, pellet, or bead form. While effective for rapid absorption, such designs often limit dosing flexibility and are less suitable for therapies requiring complex or staged drug release. Tablet-in-capsule technology addresses these challenges by allowing multiple tablets or minitablets each with distinct formulations or coatings to be placed within a single capsule.
This approach enables developers to combine incompatible APIs, achieve dual-release or multi-release profiles, and tailor treatment regimens to specific patient needs. By reducing pill burden and dosing frequency, the technology also supports improved medication adherence and patient convenience.
Commenting on the development, Dr. Brad Gold, Head of Global Formulations R&D at Piramal Pharma Solutions and Member of Piramal’s Science Collective, said the technology offers unmatched formulation flexibility. He noted that optimizing each drug within its own tablet or minitablet can enhance formulation stability, accelerate development timelines, and open new possibilities for personalized medicine.
