Self-emulsifying Drug Delivery
Lipid emulsifiers, solubilizers and surfactants to use alone or as part of self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) to overcome the poor solubility and permeability of today's APIs.
What are Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems (SEDDS)?
SEDDS are a type of lipid-based drug delivery designed to get insoluble APIs into a solubilized form so that they can be incorporated into the oil phase of an oil in water (o/w) emulsion. These systems are effective for improving the solubility of BCS Class-II and Class-IV active pharmaceutical ingredients to maximize their bioavailability. They can also improve gastrointestinal (GI) permeability of BCS Class-III and BCS Class-IV APIs.
SEDDs are typically composed of a solubilizer, an emulsifier and surfactants which will automatically form an oil-in-water emulsion when they come into contact with water. This emulsion is thermodynamically stable and rapidly dispersing so it maintains the API in the oil phase and ensures that it is delivered to the absorption sites in the GI tract efficiently.
Benefits of lipid-based drug delivery with SEDDS
- Increase solubility of BCS Class II and Class-IV APIs
- Increase permeability of certain BCS Class-III and Class-IV APIs
- Enhance bioavailability
- Protect APIs from gastric and enzymatic degradation
- Rapid dispersal and absorption
- Reproducible pharmacokinetics – reduced difference between fasted and fed
- Easy formulation without the need for specialized equipment
ABITEC's Dr John K Tillotson shares his expertise on SEDDS formulation
How can ABITEC help with Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery?
ABITEC are experts in lipid technologies, and we offer a full portfolio of compendial lipid excipients - including solubilizers, emulsifiers and surfactants - to be used in the formulation of SEDDS. We can help you to find the right combination for your SEDDs formulation to enhance the solubility and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs.
Employing CAPMUL emulsifiers with CAPTEX solubilizers and ACCONON surfactants allows for optimal SEDDS delivery of APIs.

CAPTEX® SOLUBILIZERS
These medium and long chain triglycerides are oily, lipidic vehicles designed to dissolve lipophilic actives and maximize their solubility. ABITEC offers many grades of CAPTEX to allow for formulation optimization depending on the API solubility, the nature of the solubilizing vehicle and molecular packing.

ACCONON® SURFACTANTS
These pegylated esters can be used either as primary or secondary surfactants. They will work to improve the bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs by direct solubilization or by acting as a stabilizing surfactant in active carrying emulsions. Grades can be optimized based on alkyl chain length as well as the degree of esterification and alkoxylation.

CAPMUL® EMULSIFIERS
These Medium and long-chain, mono- and diglyceride lipidic emulsifiers are designed to emulsify and dissolve APIs. Available with varying hydrophilic, lipophilic balances (HLBs) depending on the degree of esterification and the alkyl chain lengths.

ABISOL™ Emulsion Preconcentrate Kits
Facilitates the formulation of self-emulsifying drug delivery systems by providing five unique emulsion preconcentrates with different hydrophobicity profiles. Determining which ABISOL emulsion preconcentrate provides for the maximum solubility for your active is an excellent starting point for any SEDDs development.
Formulating with SEDDS
ABITEC's Dr. John K. Tillotson looks at the various methods available for manufacturing solid self-emulsifying drug delivery systems and explores the possibilities of optimizing these methods in the future.
Why choose ABITEC for SEDDS?
- ABITEC is a global leader in the development and manufacture of specialty lipids and surfactants for the pharmaceutical and nutritional sectors.
- With over 50 years producing high-quality ingredients, ABITECs extensive experience and specialist knowledge deliver exceptional products.
- We are committed to rigorous quality control, supplying safe, effective and reliable products that customers can trust.
- We are at the forefront of developing advanced and innovative lipid technologies
- We take pride in providing excellent customer service and solving customer formulation challenges