Dow Food, Pharma & Medical, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, has enhanced its ability to assist pharmaceutical customers in addressing macro trends such as potential drug pricing restrictions, product differentiation and delivery of new therapies through improved active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) solubility. The company has also expanded its portfolio of pharmaceutical, healthcare technologies and formulation support, stemming largely from Dow’s 2016 acquisition of Dow Corning.

“With the addition of Dow Corning’s advanced silicone solutions, along with a steady stream of excipients and APIs, Dow is better positioned than ever to help customers tackle their most pressing challenges,” said Dago Caceres, global pharma marketing leader, Dow Food, Pharma & Medical. “While cost pressures, solubility issues and competition are not new, they continue to evolve under the effects of tightening regulations, shifts in the global economy and changes in drug delivery preferences. By combining Dow’s organic technologies with Dow Corning’s silicone-based adhesives and ingredients, we can provide fresh approaches to help drive the pharma industry forward.”

According to Dow, three macro trends are among the major forces affecting the pharmaceutical industry’s business and product development strategies, and include:

Controlling costs. Strong pressure to control drug prices from governments, payers and patients is prompting pharmaceutical companies to look for new ways to drive down manufacturing costs while keeping quality and consistency high. Adding urgency to the issue is the expanding availability of inexpensive generics, as many branded pharmaceuticals lose patent protection.

Enabling new therapies. An estimated 70% of APIs today present solubility issues. This challenge can affect a company’s pipeline of drug candidates. Hot-melt extrusion (HME) and spraydried dispersion (SDD) are effective techniques to enhance the solubility and bioavailability of oral solid dosage forms.

Achieving a competitive advantage. The pharmaceutical industry has become fiercely competitive. Companies are adopting strategies, such as targeting unmet patient needs, through the development of specialty or orphan drugs. They are also adding value to their products with new delivery options such as transdermal and topical, which can extend product lifecycles.

In addition to providing tunable adhesives with properties like adequate drug loading, sufficient control of the delivery rate and good adhesion profile for the application period, Dow Food, Pharma & Medical also offers targeted platforms for solubility, productivity and customization. The company says it is investing in a new Pharma Formulation Center of Excellence, located in Collegeville, PA, which is focused on engaging and educating customers, and assisting them in the development of new formulations. Dow is showcasing its portfolio of organic and inorganic technology solutions at CPhI North America 2017 in booth 2001.