Herein we introduce an innovative process for preparation of directly compressible API and excipient agglomerates for extended release formulation of a highly water soluble drug, demonstrated with
metformin HCl. Metformin is poorly compressible and currently employs wet granulation for tablet manufacturing, resulting in long cycle times. We have co-processed metformin HCl with hydroxypropyl
methylcellulose (HPMC) and sodium carboxymethlycellulose (NaCMC) in solvent medium to generate agglomerates which were tableted via direct compression, thereby reducing the drug product manufacturing
cycle time and cost, while maintaining extended release dissolution profile. The intimate mixing of HPMC and NaCMC with metformin HCl through co-processing reduces the risk of segregation during
downstream handling and tableting. Additionally, this process reduced the excipient load required to achieve the target dissolution profile and bioequivalence, leading to reduced tablet mass and size
with 1000 mg drug load.
