With the acquisition of Gelfipharma in 2001, Arturo Licenziati saw the potential of applying PEARLtec technology to medicines, a technology initially used only in the field of food supplements.
In 2006, the new Manno plant was inaugurated, specialising in the production of thyroid hormones T4 and T3 in oral liquid solutions and softgel capsules. On 13 October of the same year, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorised the marketing of Tirosint softgel capsules for the American market.
The oral intake of certain medicines in solid form presents technical challenges, as some active ingredients can be oily or poorly water-soluble.
PEARLtec technology allows the incorporation of a liquid matrix into a continuous soft gelatine shell, forming the softgel capsule.
This technology offers several important advantages: improved stability of the active ingredient, cold processing to avoid the overheating generated in the compression of traditional tablets, and, above all, highly precise dosing.
With PEARLtec technology, it is possible to take a liquid solution in solid form, ensuring dosage uniformity, particularly for formulations with very low concentrations.
Once in the stomach, the gelatine capsule dissolves, releasing the already dissolved active ingredient, which is rapidly absorbed.
Levothyroxine (T4), vitamin D, and diclofenac are just a few examples of active ingredients in softgel capsules that IBSA makes available in therapeutic areas of significant social impact – areas that had not seen significant innovations in administration methods for a long time.