Drug product intermediates based on spray-dried dispersion technology can be formulated into capsules, tablets and other solid dosage forms.
With our integrated approach to product development, you’ll get efficient manufacturing for all stages of development and commercial-scale production:
- Proprietary mini spray-drying equipment designed for feasibility assessments and prototype development based on the minimum quantity of API (as low as 100 mg)
- Non-GMP development facility to support rapid product development
- Small-to-mid-sized spray dryers for scale-up, QBD studies and production of toxicology study supplies
- Commercial-scale spray dryers in a non-GMP environment for seamless process development and commercial scale-up to GMP.
- GMP production capabilities for the manufacture of registration lots, commercial launch quantities and ongoing supply of SDD intermediate
Pharmaceutical spray-dried dispersion applications
Many of today’s drug candidates have low aqueous solubility (BCS II) and need an enabling technology to enhance oral bioavailability.
Amorphous solid dispersion using spray-dried dispersion formulation is a proven solution. This approach significantly improves the bioavailability of promising BCS II compounds, ensuring more of the drug is absorbed into the bloodstream and enabling more products to reach the market.
Dry powder inhaler (DPI)
Spray drying is also increasingly used for dry powder inhaler (DPI) applications, as it provides spray-dried particle engineered formulations with the required size distribution to meet target product profiles.
- Spray dried particles
- Particle engineering using particle size reduction/ spray drying
- Phase appropriate encapsulation
With our integrated product development approach, we can manufacture SDD formulations for all stages of development from preclinical and first-in-human through late-stage development and commercial production. Drug product intermediates based on spray-dried dispersion technology can be formulated into capsules, tablets and other solid dosage forms.
We have an approach of using spray-dried formulation that is revolutionary! Creating formulations that are targeted and appropriate
-Matthew Ferguson, Head of Product Development, Lonza Bend
3-step SDD process to improving bioavailability
Spray-dried dispersion technology typically improves bioavailability by three to 15-fold.
Design
The first step is understanding your problem statement and clearly defining the target product profile (TPP).
Develop
Starting from the design and TPP, a team of experienced scientists and engineers develop the product using a proven roadmap approach. Generally, the formulations developed are “phase appropriate” to match the current development phase of the drug candidate.
Manufacture
We have a full range of pharmaceutical spray dryers, based on proprietary designs, to support early feasibility assessments through clinic studies and commercialization.
Sr. Director, Product Development
At Lonza, we take a science-based, molecule-specific approach to technology selection. By combining formulation expertise, predictive tools, and experience with thousands of compounds, we help you choose whether spray-dried dispersion—or another approach—is the best fit to improve bioavailability and meet your target product profile.
Lonza’s integrated development model enables you to move quickly from feasibility to clinical supply, using minimal API and a streamlined formulation process. This helps you reduce development timelines, avoid rework, and advance low-solubility compounds with confidence.
Yes—Lonza offers a fully integrated, end-to-end SDD platform, from early feasibility studies through GMP manufacturing and commercial supply. This approach minimizes complexity and ensures a smooth, scalable transition across all development phases.
Lonza reduces risk by combining decades of experience, proven SDD technology, and an integrated development strategy. By aligning formulation, process development, and manufacturing early, we help you avoid delays, reduce tech transfer risks, and improve the likelihood of successful outcomes.
Lonza brings together 30+ years of experience, a broad technology toolkit, and integrated product development capabilities. This allows you to work with a single partner across your program—helping you simplify development, improve performance, and accelerate your path to commercialization.