A Glimpse into the Future of Pharmaceutical Formulation: Christian Lübbert on Amorphous Solid Dispersions

10 September 2024 | Dr. Christian Lübbert, Amofor

The pharmaceutical industry often faces the challenge of poorly water-soluble drug candidates, leading to insufficient bioavailability. One solution is to convert these drugs from an amorphous to a crystalline form. However, ensuring that the amorphous form remains stable during storage and does not revert to the crystalline state is a critical issue. This is where Christian Lübbert's innovative approach, which he will present at the Sorption Symposium Europe 2024, comes into play.


The Key to Stability in Amorphous Formulations

Christian Lübbert, co-founder of the company amofor, has developed together with his team a unique method that combines dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) experiments with in-silico modeling to predict recrystallization in amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs). This method enables formulators to characterize all crucial parameters that determine the shelf life of these formulations. By doing so, the risk of recrystallization can be minimized early in the development process, ensuring the safety and efficacy of the drugs.

The Inspiration Behind the Research

Lübbert’s interest in this topic was sparked by his experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Throughout his career, he observed that the development of potentially life-saving drugs was often halted due to the inability to control recrystallization in these amorphous formulations. To address this challenge, he developed this technique that allows for a better understanding and management of recrystallization behavior. His goal is to ensure that more drug molecules reach patients without stability being a concern.

Current Relevance and Practical Applications

In recent years, Lübbert recognized the significant need for predictive tools in the industry to assess the shelf life of ASDs. The method, which combines both experimental and in-silico approaches, has been acknowledged by the scientific community in numerous peer-reviewed publications and is nowadays established in many pharmaceutical companies in the ASD development workflows. Notably, this model is validated by long-term stability tests conducted over multiple years, demonstrating the feasibility and reliability of his approach.

Looking Ahead

Lübbert’s approach promises to revolutionize the future of formulation development. By reducing trial and error during the development phase, formulators can save time, avoid unnecessary tests, and significantly cut development costs. Moreover, his technique provides a scientifically sound basis for deciding which formulation is the best choice for moving ahead.

Meet Christian Lübbert in Person

Intrigued? Christian Lübbert will be sharing his groundbreaking insights at the Sorption Symposium Europe 2024, which will take place from September 18th to 20th at the University of Vienna in Austria. Don’t miss the chance to hear him live and ask your questions directly. This symposium offers a unique platform to connect with industry experts and discover the latest advancements in sorption research.

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn more about this exciting innovation and be part of shaping the future of pharmaceutical formulation!

Register here: https://www.sorptionhub.com/sorption-symposium-eur24

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