SOLID DISPERSIONS

1 . A solid dispersion consisting essentially of:

(a) an active ingredient having a low solubility, and

(b) an alginate selected from the group consisting of sodium alginate and potassium alginate;

wherein the weight ratio of active ingredient:alginate is between 1:1.5 and 1:10, with the proviso that when said alginate is a sodium alginate having a G content of less than 50% by weight:

if such sodium alginate has a viscosity of less than 200 mPa·s in a 1% aqueous solution at 20° C. using a Brookfield type RV with Brookfield RV spindle 2, the weight ratio of active ingredient:alginate is between 1:2.5 and 1:5; and

if such sodium alginate has a viscosity of 200 mPa·s or more in a 1% aqueous solution at 20° C. using a Brookfield type RV with Brookfield RV spindle 2 the weight ratio of active ingredient:alginate is between 1:1.5 and 1:3.5.

2 . (canceled)

3 . The solid dispersion of claim 1 wherein the alginate comprises a potassium alginate.

4 . The solid dispersion of claim 3 wherein the weight ratio of active ingredient:alginate is between 1:2 and 1:5.

5 . The solid dispersion of claim 1 wherein the alginate comprises a sodium alginate.

6 . The solid dispersion of claim 5 wherein the sodium alginate has a G content of 50 weight percent or more.

7 . The solid dispersion of claim 6 wherein the weight ratio of active ingredient:alginate is between 1:2 and 1:5.

8 . The solid dispersion of claim 5 wherein the alginate salt comprises a sodium alginate having a viscosity of less than 200 mPa·s in a 1% aqueous solution at 20° C. using a Brookfield type RV with Brookfield RV spindle 2.

9 . The solid dispersion of claim 5 wherein the alginate salt comprises a sodium alginate having a viscosity of 200 mPa·s or more in a 1% aqueous solution at 20° C. using a Brookfield type RV with Brookfield RV spindle 2.

10 . The solid dispersion of claim 1 wherein the active ingredient is a nutraceutical.

11 . The solid dispersion of claim 1 wherein the active ingredient is a pharmaceutical.

12 . The solid dispersion of claim 11 wherein the poorly soluble active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressant or atopic dermatitis drugs, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin II antagonists, cholesterol synthesis-inhibiting hypolipidemic agents, cholesterol metabolism- and secretion-promoting hypolipidemic agents, antidiabetic drugs, lipase inhibitors, antifungal agents, hepatoprotective drugs, gastrointestinal drugs, antiplatelet agents, osteoporosis drugs, antiviral drugs, antibiotics, antiasthmatic or antihistamine drugs, hormone drugs and anticancer drugs.

13 . The solid dispersion of claim 12 wherein the poorly active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of acetaminophen, acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen, fenbuprofen, fenoprofen, flurbiprofen, indomethacin, naproxen, etodolac, ketoprofen, dexibuprofen, piroxicam, aceclofenac, cyclosporin, tacrolimus, rapamycin, mycophenolate, pimecrolimus, nifedipine, nimodipine, nitrendipine, nilvadipine, felodipine, amlodipine, isradipine, valsartan, eprosartan, irbesartan, candesartan, telmisartan, olmesartan, losartan, atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin, fluvastatin, rosuvastatin, pravastatin, gemfibrozil, fenofibrate, etofibrate, bezafibrate, pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, metformin, orlistat, itraconazole, amphotericin B, terbinafine, nystatin, griseofulvin, fluconazole, ketoconazole, biphenyl dimethyl dicarboxylate, silymarin ursodeoxycholic acid, sofalcone, omeprazole, pantoprazole, famotidine, itopride, mesalazine, cilostazol, clopidogrel, raloxifene, acyclovir, famciclovir, lamivudine, oseltamivir, clarithromycin, ciprofloxacin, cefuroxime, pranlukast, budesonide, fexofenadine, testosterone, prednisolone, estrogen, cortisone, hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, docetaxel, paclitaxel derivatives, doxorubicin, adriamycin, daunomycin, camptothecin, etoposide, teniposide and busulfan; and pharmaceutical derivatives and salts thereof.

14 . A drug dosage form produced from the solid dispersion of claim 1 .

15 . The drug dosage form of claim 14 wherein such drug dosage form comprises an enteric coating.

16 . The drug form of claim 14 wherein such drug dosage form is in the form of a granule, powder, suspension, tablet, capsule, troche or pill for oral administration.

17 . The drug form of claim 16 wherein such drug dosage form is in the form of a tablet.

18 . A solid dispersion of claim 1 wherein the active ingredient has a solubility of 0.1-1 mg/mL.

19 . A solid dispersion of claim 1 wherein the active ingredient has a solubility of <0.1 mg/mL

20 . A solid dispersion of claim 1 wherein the active ingredient is selected from naproxen, tacrolimus, valsartan, simvastatin, fenofibrate, itraconazole, biphenyl dimethyl carboxylate, silymarin, sofalcone, pantoprazole, cilostazol and salts of any of the foregoing.

21 . A solid dispersion of claim 1 wherein the active ingredient is lovastatin or a salt thereof.