Research Overview

Excipients have been a part of the pharmaceutical industry and their demand is expected to increase during the forecast period. This is owing to their ability to perform various functions such as improving the stability of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), modifying drug release, and masking taste. Expanding patient base coupled with the need to develop cost-effective drugs has led to the growth of generics. This has simultaneously driven the need of excipients that can be successfully utilized for these drugs. Excipients impart no medicinal properties to the drug; they have well-defined roles ranging from protecting the API to easing the manufacturing process. Factors such as patent expiration of blockbuster drugs, which will consequently boost the demand for generic drugs, and increasing demand for patient-compliant drugs have boosted the demand for oral solid dosage excipients. However, a stringent regulatory process is one of the roadblocks to the development of novel excipients. Long development timelines, high investment into R&D, and chances of failure have prevented manufacturers from developing novel excipients. For instance, antioxidants such as ascorbic acid are used in combination with compounds that are prone to oxidation, hence improving the efficiency of the formulation.