Laser irradiation to produce amorphous pharmaceuticals

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Pharmaceutical Technology
• Laser Physics

Background:

• Amorphous pharmaceuticals offer improved bioavailability but are often unstable.
• Conventional methods for producing amorphous drugs can be energy-intensive or yield metastable forms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of high-power CO2 laser irradiation for inducing amorphous phase transformations in pharmaceutical powders.
• To evaluate the physicochemical properties and stability of laser-generated amorphous materials compared to conventional methods.

Main Methods:

• Powder beds of indometacin and paracetamol/polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 blends were irradiated using a high-power CO2 laser.
• Laser parameters (power, raster speed) were systematically varied.
• Physicochemical properties and stability of the resulting amorphous forms were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Laser irradiation successfully induced a phase transformation to the amorphous state in indometacin, forming a glass.
• Varying laser settings altered the properties of the amorphous glasses.
• Irradiated glasses exhibited enhanced stability compared to melt-quenched reference glasses.
• Laser irradiation of a paracetamol and polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 blend produced a solid amorphous dispersion.

Conclusions:

• High-power CO2 laser irradiation is a viable method for producing amorphous pharmaceuticals.
• Laser-induced amorphous forms demonstrate improved stability.
• This technique offers a novel route for developing amorphous solid dispersions and glasses for pharmaceutical applications.