Creating Cocrystals: A Review of Pharmaceutical Cocrystal Preparation Routes and Applications

Originally discovered almost a century ago, cocrystals continue to gain interest in the modern day due to their\nability to modify the physical properties of solid-state materials, particularly pharmaceuticals. Intensification of cocrystal\nresearch efforts has been accompanied by an expansion of the potential applications where cocrystals can offer a benefit. Where\nonce solubility manipulation was seen as the primary driver for cocrystal formation, cocrystals have recently been shown to\nprovide attractive options for taste masking, mechanical property improvement, and intellectual property generation and\nextension. Cocrystals are becoming a commercial reality with a number of cocrystal products currently on the market and more\nfollowing in registration and clinical trial phases. Increased commercialization of cocrystals has in turn necessitated additional\nresearch on methods to make cocrystals, with particular emphasis placed on emerging technologies that can offer\nenvironmentally attractive and efficient options. Methods of producing cocrystals and of harnessing the bespoke physical\nproperty adjustment provided by cocrystals are reviewed in this article, with a particular focus on emerging trends in these areas.