10023883Platform solubility and stabilityClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKOne of the most widely taken medications are Proton Pump Inhibitors(PPI) for the reduction of stomach acid. At present only solid forms or very limited stability suspensions are available. These suspensions often block feeding tubes in hospitalised patients with these tubes having to be replaced at considerable cost and discomfort for the patient. The development of a liquid alternative is therefore a major step forward and would have considered benefit to both health care providers and ultimately to the patient. The major issue with PPI's is that they are notoriously unstable and will rapidly degrade when exposed to a wide range of external influences such as heat, oxygen, light and acid environments. As it is an orally ingested medication the problem of acid degradation in the stomach has previously been overcome by placing them in a 'gastro-protective' coating that allows the PPI to pass through the stomach and be absorbed in the less acidic lower gut. This causes other issues such as speed of absorption. The aim of this project is to improve on the stability work already carried out by the company using their unique solubilisation platform. It is important to look at the products to define the presence of precipitates or crystal formation and what size they may be to determine their effect on stability and to understand the possibility of using filtering techniques to remove them. Once this has been completed we will be able to look at other factors effecting overall stability and improve the shelf-life of the products while being assured that we have a 'pure liquid' that will not stick to or block tubes and so improve the life of patients and healthcare workers.