Formulation and Development of Oral Dosage Forms

Upperton is a leading CDMO with extensive expertise in oral solid dosage (OSD) development and manufacturing, supporting clients through Formulation Development, Analytical Development, Phase I/II Clinical Supply and commercial scale-up of oral dosage forms

Tablet Development Capsule Development

Oral Dosage Forms

Tablet Formulation: A General Overview

Tablets continue to be one of the most popular pharmaceutical dosage forms, as with the right tablet formulation you can achieve: ease of handling and administration for patients, stability convenient packing options, and well-established cost-effective manufacturing processes which produce consistent quality products.

However, there are also disadvantages which can include: poor bioavailability, instability within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the potential of causing irritant effects or harming the GI mucosa.

Many of these can be mitigated through successful tablet formulation development, robust analytical characterisation and enabling technologies such as Spray Drying and UpperSolv™ for poorly soluble compounds.

Our Oral Process Capabilities

Our oral process capabilities support the development and manufacture of a broad range of drug products, from early-stage development through to larger-scale batch manufacture.

Blending

Dry Granulation

Milling

Coating

Tablets

Immediate-release, modified-release and minitablets

Capsules

Drug Product Expertise

Small molecules, biologics and NCEs

Batch Sizes

From grams through to 250 kg batch sizes

Discover Upperton's Oral Dosage Form Capabilities

Oral administration remains the most widely used route for the successful delivery of active pharmaceuticals to patients. Discover how a CDMO partnership can streamline your drug development journey.

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YOUR STRATEGIC CDMO PARTNER

Partner with Upperton

We provide fully integrated CDMO services across every stage of the drug product lifecycle.

One Site

Award-winning facility built for scale and continuity providing integrated, end-to-end capabilities delivered under one roof.

One Team

The same team from your early-stage development through to preparation for commercial readiness.

Dosage Form Expertise

Proven track record in solving formulation and delivery challenges across multiple dosage forms.

Executive Leadership on Every Project

Direct access to experienced senior leadership for strategic oversight and decision-making.

Tablet Development & Manufacturing FAQs

What are the stages of tablet development?

The stages of tablet formulation typically include pre-formulation studies, selection of excipients and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), granulation, compression into tablets, quality control checks such as weight sorting and metal checking, and finally coating if necessary for functionality or aesthetics. Each stage plays a crucial role in ensuring the final product meets specifications and delivers the API effectively to the patient.

How do different types of tablets differ in their formulation?

Different types of tablets can vary significantly in their formulation based on factors such as the desired release profile, intended administration route, and patient preferences. For example, immediate-release tablets, such as compressed tablets, are formulated to release the drug quickly once ingested, providing rapid therapeutic effects. On the other hand, extended-release tablets, like compression-coated tablets, are designed to deliver the drug over an extended period of time, allowing for less frequent dosing. Additionally, chewable tablets are formulated to be easily chewed and swallowed without water, making them convenient for patients with swallowing difficulties or children. Effervescent tablets contain ingredients that react with water to release carbon dioxide gas, resulting in a fizzy solution that can be more palatable for some individuals. Disintegrating tablets, on the other hand, rapidly break down in the mouth without the need for additional liquid or chewing, making them a suitable option for patients with difficulty swallowing or those who prefer not to chew their medication. Each type of tablet formulation is tailored to meet specific patient needs and preferences while ensuring the effective delivery of the active pharmaceutical ingredient through disintegration.