Dispersive Systems

The advantages for emulsion-based formulations are clear.

With expertise in pharmaceutical disperse systems, One 2 One is a clear leader in the development and manufacture of emulsion-based formulations. The ability to dissolve lipophilic components in a safe, tolerable matrix is the obvious advantage. However, there are many, including the minimization of pain on injection, drug stabilization and improved solubility as opposed to solubilized formulations. Lipid emulsions also minimize losses of lipophilic compounds during infusion into plastic administration sets and devices.

* Emulsion – a highly dispersed mixture of two immiscible substances. One substance (the dispersed phase) is homogenously distributed in the other (continuous phase).

* Emulsifier – also known as a surfactant, a substance that stabilizes an emulsion. Examples are egg yolk phospholipids (lecithin).

* Lipid – compounds including fats, oils and triglycerides that are not soluble in water.

* Liposome – consists of an aqueous core enclosed in one or more phospholipid layers used to convey drugs to target cells or organs.

As with any drug formulation, lipid emulsions must be manufactured to strict specifications. The emulsions must have a droplet size distribution that is appropriate, stable and highly reproducible. High-pressure homogenization is the preparation process used for most commercial products. Another prerequisite is sterility; high temperature sterilization is preferred because of its advantages with respect to manufacturing ease and product safety. A rotary steam sterilizer is utilized, which is ideal for lipid-based emulsions since the product is in constant motion during the cycle, preventing separation of the two phases.