IP Library Granted Patent US 12,635,719
Granted Patent B2
US 12,635,719 · App. 18/819,147 · Granted May 26, 2026

Delayed release softgel capsules in higher pH environment

Inventors: Karunakar Sukuru (St. Petersburg, FL); Qi Fang (St. Petersburg, FL); Haitao Li (St. Petersburg, FL)
Assignee: R.P. SCHERER TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
A23L29/231A23L29/272A23L29/273A23L29/284A23L33/29A23P10/30
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,635,719
App. No.
18/819,147
Granted
May 26, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed in certain embodiments is a delayed release softgel capsules comprise a fill material that is encapsulated in a pH dependent shell composition, the pH dependent shell composition including pectin and gellan gum. Also disclosed are methods of preparing any of the delayed release softgel capsules described herein and methods of use thereof.

Claims (22)

1 . A delayed release softgel capsule comprising:

(a) a fill material; and

(b) a shell composition,

wherein the fill material comprises at least one active agent, and

wherein the shell composition comprises gelatin selected from the group consisting of Type A gelatin, Type B gelatin, and mixtures thereof, and a pH dependent polymer comprising pectin and gellan gum, wherein the shell composition comprises about 60 wt % to about 80 wt % of a gelatin, based on total weight of the dry shell composition, wherein the weight ratio of pectin to gellan gum is about 10:1 to about 24:1, and about 0.01 wt % to about 2 wt % of dextrose, and wherein the shell composition does not rupture at a pH of 4 at 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes or 60 minutes when measured with a USP Apparatus II with paddles at 50 RPM, 900 ml 0.1N HCL acidic media adjusted to pH with phosphate buffer.

2 . The delayed release softgel capsule of claim 1 , wherein the shell composition does not rupture at a pH of 5 at 15 minutes, when measured with a USP Apparatus II with paddles at 50 RPM, 900 ml 0.1N HCL acidic media adjusted to pH with phosphate buffer.

3 . The delayed release softgel capsule of claim 1 , wherein the shell composition does not rupture at a pH of between 5 and 6 at 15 minutes, when measured with a USP Apparatus II with paddles at 50 RPM, 900 ml 0.1N HCL acidic media adjusted to pH with phosphate buffer.

4 . The delayed release softgel capsule of claim 1 , wherein the shell composition does not rupture at a pH of between 6 and 7 at 15 minutes, when measured with a USP Apparatus II with paddles at 50 RPM, 900 ml 0.1N HCL acidic media adjusted to pH with phosphate buffer.

5 . The delayed release softgel capsule of claim 1 , wherein the shell composition does not rupture at a pH of between 7 and 8 at 15 minutes, when measured with a USP Apparatus II with paddles at 50 RPM, 900 ml 0.1N HCL acidic media adjusted to pH with phosphate buffer.

6 . The delayed release softgel capsule of claim 1 , wherein the shell composition does not rupture at a pH of between 8 and 8.4 at 15 minutes, when measured with a USP Apparatus II with paddles at 50 RPM, 900 ml 0.1N HCL acidic media adjusted to pH with phosphate buffer.

7 . The delayed release softgel capsule of claim 1 , wherein the shell composition is derived from a wet mass comprising 0.1 to 5% gellan gum.

8 . The delayed release softgel capsule of claim 7 , wherein the wet mass comprises from about 2% to about 10% pectin.

9 . The delayed release softgel capsule of claim 1 , wherein the shell composition further comprises a plasticizer.

10 . The delayed release softgel capsule of claim 9 , wherein the shell composition comprises about 15 wt % to about 40 wt % of a plasticizer, based on total weight of the dry shell composition.

11 . The delayed release softgel capsule of claim 1 , wherein the pectin is low methoxyl pectin.

12 . The delayed release softgel capsule of claim 11 , wherein the low methoxy pectin is selected from the group consisting of amidated pectin, non-amidated pectin, and combinations thereof.

13 . The delayed release softgel capsule of claim 1 , wherein the shell composition comprises about 0.1 wt % to about 10 wt % of gellan gum, based on total weight of the dry shell composition.

14 . The delayed release softgel capsule of claim 1 , wherein the shell composition comprises about 0.1 wt % to about 10 wt % of pectin, based on total weight of the dry shell composition.

15 . The delayed release softgel capsule of claim 1 , wherein the plasiticizers is glycerol, sorbitol or combinations thereof.

16 . A delayed release softgel capsule comprising:

(a) a fill material; and

(b) a shell composition, wherein the fill material comprises at least one active agent, and wherein the shell composition comprises gelatin selected from the group consisting of Type A gelatin, Type B gelatin, and mixtures thereof, and a pH dependent polymer comprising pectin and gellan gum, wherein the shell composition comprises about 60 wt % to about 80% of a gelatin, based on total weight of the dry shell composition, where the weight ratio of pectin to gellan gum is about 10:1 to about 24:1, and about 0.01 wt % to about 2 wt % of dextrose, and wherein the shell composition does not rupture at a pH of less than 8.4, for a time period of 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, or 120 minutes when measured with a USP Apparatus II with paddles at 50 RPM, 900 ml 0.1N HCL acidic media adjusted to pH with phosphate buffer, sodium hydroxide, or potassium hydroxide.

Assignments (1)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 19, 2024
From: CATALENT CTS (KANSAS CITY), LLC; REDWOOD BIOSCIENCE, INC.; R.P. SCHERER TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; CATALENT WELLNESS, LLC; CATALENT PHARMA SOLUTIONS, INC.; CATALENT WELLNESS NEW JERSEY, LLC; CATALENT MARYLAND, INC.; CATALENT GREENVILLE, INC.; CATALENT MICRON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CATALENT SAN DIEGO, INC.; CATALENT WELLNESS VIRGINIA, LLC; CATALENT USA PACKAGING, LLC; CATALENT PHARMA SOLUTIONS, LLC
To: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 069743/0458 →