Recent Patents on Solid Dispersions Emphasize Promising Benefits in Solubility Enhancement of Poorly Water-soluble Drugs

Background: In the development of drug delivery systems, drugs' solubility remains the most challenging constraint. Many newly synthesized chemical compounds are available, but they involve low solubility and poor permeability restrictions. Among various drug delivery systems, the utilization of solid dispersion technologies has become more focused due to their promising benefits. Objective: This technology has attracted extensive attention for dissolution rate improvement along with substantial bioavailability enhancement of poorly water-soluble drug candidates. Methods: Many approaches have been employed for preparing solid dispersions, such as the melting method, hot melt extrusion, solvent evaporation process, fusion and kneading method, spray drying technique, co-grinding and freeze drying, supercritical fluid technology, etc. Results: A wide variety of hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials are available as carriers, which are employed in the formulation of solid dispersions. Depending on the carrier characteristics, immediate- release solid dispersions and/or controlled-release solid dispersions can be formulated. Multiple hydrophilic materials have been explored for heightening dissolution features with enhanced bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drug molecules. The availability of commercially available products further validates the utility of solid dispersion technology in drug delivery systems. Conclusion: In the current manuscript, an attempt has been made to highlight the comprehensive development techniques, characterization techniques, recent solid dispersion technologies, clinical trial studies, and patented technology, along with studies heightening the dissolution behavior of numerous poorly aqueous soluble drugs. The major stability issues affecting the suitability of solid dispersions are also discussed.