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N Tablets & Capsules March 2017 17 capsules How polymer science is changing the functional role of capsules Matt Richardson and Keith Hutchison Capsugel New developments in polymer science and engineering are broadening the role that capsules play in drug delivery, formu- lation science, and medical research. Today's array of capsules enables formulators to offer safer, more effective treatments for patients and consumers. ever have so many drug delivery systems based on hard capsules been available to pharmaceutical manufac- turers and physicians. Today, they can choose from a variety of options to achieve immediate, delayed, con- trolled, site-specific, or colon-targeted release. These technologies enable capsule-based formulations to improve bioavailability, meet the clinical needs for spe- cific plasma time-course profiles, avoid site-specific degradation in the GI tract, and improve the efficacy of drug products. In these areas and others—particularly