Lonza Capsugel’s Duocap Technology Improves Protection and Targeted Delivery: Study

A new peer-reviewed study showed that Lonza‘s Duocap capsule-in-capsule technology can improve the protection and targeted delivery of acid-sensitive enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract. The study, conducted in collaboration with ProDigest, which is an expert in preclinical gastrointestinal tract models, highlighted the dual-release capsule technology’s impact.

The study was published in Pharmaceutics, and used a Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME) model to compare multiple polymers and formulations under realistic fed and fasted digestive conditions. To assess dissolution behavior, capsules contained caffeine and pancreatin, an acid-sensitive digestive enzyme that is converted from tributyrin to butyrate when it reaches the upper small intestine.

Five capsule formulations, including two single capsule types and three Duocaps configurations, were assessed for dissolution timing, ingredient protection, and enzyme activity through the upper GI tract, with a particular focus on the upper small intestine where digestive enzymes are most effective.

When taken with food, the Licaps Duocap formulations demonstrated enhanced protection and targeted release profiles with caffeine released at the end of the duodenum and/or jejunum and a high butyrate recovery, ranging from 53% to 87%. Enzyme activity was up to four times higher in the upper small intestine compared to standard immediate-release capsules.

By contrast, the immediate-release capsules released a high level of contents in the stomach, shown by low butyrate recovery in the upper small intestine (16-21%). This suggested gastric degradation of the unprotected enzyme, showing that intended delivery was significantly impaired when compared to the capsule-in-capsule format.

“This study further reinforces the robustness and reliability of our Licaps Duocap capsule-in-capsule technology, providing independent, peer-reviewed validation of its ability to deliver sensitive ingredients to targeted regions of the gastrointestinal tract. While this work focused on release in the upper small intestine, it builds on a growing body of evidence demonstrating that Licaps Duocap capsules can protect and transport ingredients like live probiotics all the way to the colon, where they are needed to achieve optimal performance. It also highlights just how important capsule selection is to the success and effectiveness of nutraceutical products, and why delivery really does matter.”