CPHI 2024: Spotlight on functional formulations for nutraceuticals and pharma

At the upcoming pharmaceutical and nutraceutical trade show CPHI (October 8–10) in Milan, Italy, two industries combine to showcase product formulations and active ingredient innovations. 

Nutrition Insight dives into the portfolios by Gelita, Lubrizol Life Science and IFF Pharma Solutions, looking at their featured excipients for capsules, softgels and tablets, technical innovations to improve ingredients’ bioavailability and various other solutions to overcome formulation challenges. 

Gelita will introduce a newly rebranded, controlled release portfolio at CPHI, Jessica Pföhler, global marketing and innovation management, tells us. “With new brand names for our softgel specialties and more focused positioning, we want to use this show to kick off exciting new projects and partnerships with our customers.” 

The portfolio features gelatin innovations, such as RXL Ultra for anti-crosslinking, Delasol for enteric softgels “in a single production step” and Rapisol for rapid-release solutions.

“Additionally, Gelita will present Easyseal, the latest addition to the softgel specialty portfolio, designed to improve softgel seams and significantly reduce leakers,” Pföhler highlights.

Isabel Gómez, global marketing manager for nutraceuticals at Lubrizol Life Science, forecasts that the future dietary supplement market will become “even more holistic and integrated with science-based, trusted ingredients.” She underscores that products must deliver on the promise of high-quality and bioavailable ingredients. 

“Additionally, with the increasing importance of sensory appeal and convenience to the end consumer, the total user experience has never been more present and demanded. As a result, nutraceutical formats that deliver the full sensory potential will continue to grow, particularly powder sticks, liquids and chewable formats such as gummies.” 

Formulating for atmospheric challenges

Manufacturers and product marketers face more and more regulatory requirements, especially in the health and nutrition sectors, says Pföhler. Moreover, she highlights a continued demand for natural products.

“Our RXL portfolio directly responds to these developments by offering four tailored gelatins for softgels that consider various factors such as climatic zones, storage conditions and challenging fills. Designed to reduce crosslinking and improve shelf life significantly, these solutions help customers remain compliant while meeting the highest quality standards.”

Pföhler details Gelita’s new controlled release portfolio at CHPI with RXL Ultra, Delasol and Rapisol (Image credit: Gelita).She also affirms the growing demand for food supplements that contain botanicals and plant extracts as consumers increasingly seek natural ingredients for health and wellness. “At the same time, there is increasing interest in omega-3 supplements.” 

“Here, our Delasol solution effectively tackles oxidation issues and enables the efficient production of enteric softgels in a single step.” Delasol allows manufacturers to create softgels without additional coatings. 

At CPHI stand 10G72, Gelita will highlight RXL Ultra as its latest gelatin solution, designed to substantially reduce crosslinking and maintain softgel benefits, particularly in those containing novel plant extracts. The company will also feature this solution in a presentation in the Manufacturing and Outsourcing Theater. 

“This innovation is key for Rx (branded medical prescriptions), Gx (unpatented medical prescriptions), over-the-counter medication and health and nutrition products, and promises superior stability and shelf life,” underscores Pföhler. 

Additionally, Gelita’s Health subsidiary representatives will support private-label customers in exploring opportunities for customized finished products with targeted functionalities in areas such as beauty-from-within, mobility and sports nutrition using the company’s Bioactive Collagen Peptides.

Overcoming conventional formulation hurdles

Gómez anticipates an increased focus on further technological innovations in nutraceuticals and food supplements to overcome product challenges. 

She points to several issues in active ingredients that must be addressed to achieve “stable, bioavailable and palatable products that also protect consumers from potential side effects, such as gastrointestinal irritation, caused by ingesting nutraceutical formulations.” 

Such challenges include ingredients’ off-flavors, reactivity, interactions with other ingredients and undesirable color changes, she stresses.

“Companies must, therefore, continue to develop their technological capabilities to ensure the delivery of nutrients with optimal performance,” she underscores. 

Lubrizol Life Science will showcase an energy gel with Carbopol and Newcaff microcapsules (Image credit: Lubrizol Life Science).For example, the company developed microencapsulated branded minerals Lipofer and Magshape microcapsules to provide “a bioavailable and convenient way to make mineral-fortified nutraceuticals more convenient, stable and easier to digest.” These microcapsules help consumers meet daily iron and magnesium intake by limiting side effects. 

Lubrizol Life Science will exhibit its excipient solutions portfolio at stand 6F60, which includes the company’s Carbopol polymers, Pemulen polymeric emulsifiers and Noveon polycarbophil. 

Moreover, Gómez reveals the company will showcase its newly launched solubility-enhancing polymers Apisolex and Apinovex for solid and injectable formulations, while demonstrating its understanding of developing oral, topical, ophthalmic and injectable formulations.

Capsule efficiency and convenience

Lubrizol Life Science’s Carbopol polymers for nutraceuticals received an EU food-grade approval last year. Gómez notes that nutraceutical manufacturers can use the solution to differentiate their portfolio and create new product claims. Carbopol can help deliver the “same health benefits at a smaller dose and increased reliability.” 

“The multifunctional benefits of Carbopol polymers offer consumer-centric solutions by providing a convenient way to make tablets smaller and easier to digest,” explains Gómez. “The unique properties of these innovative polymers can also provide a stable, controlled release or suspension of active ingredients for liquid supplement applications, ensuring consistent delivery of nutraceutical benefits.” 

The company will showcase an energy gel at CPHI that contains Carbopol and Newcaff microcapsules for a “sustained release of caffeine with a clean, non-bitter taste.” 

“We also offer solutions that enable sustained release and other functionalities for nutraceutical products. This is in line with consumer demand for long-lasting effects for specific needs, such as energy and sleep, which can be supported by sustained release of active ingredients,” details Gómez. 

IFF Pharma Solutions will launch new products and technologies for the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.Pharmaceutical portfolios

In addition to nutraceutical companies, CPHI is home to a wide range of exhibitors showcasing their innovations and solutions for the pharmaceutical market. In this space, IFF Pharma Solutions will launch new products and technologies for the biotech industry, including a new portfolio of low nitrite excipients and ultrapure alginate biopolymers for next-generation therapeutic development. 

“We are unveiling groundbreaking technologies that refine polymer expertise, tackling critical industry challenges head-on and empowering our customers to achieve unparalleled success,” details Angela Strzelecki, president of Pharma Solutions at IFF. 

The company will present solutions to mitigate nitrosamine, a chemical compound classified as a probable human carcinogen based on animal studies. At CPHI stand 6B10, IFF will feature a portfolio for nitrosamine control, including Avicel PH Low Nitrite, a range of low-nitrite microcrystalline cellulose grades that reduce the risk of nitrosamine formation as part of broader mitigation strategies. 

IFF will also present its “ultrapure alginate technologies,” such as NovaMatrix-3D, an animal-free 3D cell culture system engineered for efficient cell seeding and enzyme-free cell release. 

This system offers a “more physiologically relevant environment than traditional 2D cultures, supporting various cell lines and opening new possibilities for drug development, cancer research, tissue engineering, toxicity testing and stem cell research.”