Sugar-Based Excipients MarketSize and Trends

Sugar-based Excipients Market Dynamics

Increasing use of co-processed excipients and rising development of orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) are major factors that are expected to boost growth of sugar-based excipients market over the forecast period. ODTs are solid dosage forms containing medicinal substances, which disintegrate rapidly, generally in few seconds, when placed on the tongue. Research on delivering biological molecules through the oral route have widened the scope of ODT technology, which further drive growth of the market. According to the American Pharmaceutical Review 2016, over 35 products have been launched using Zydis ODT technology in over 60 countries worldwide. Furthermore, rising use of sugar alcohols such as mannitol in a wide range of oral dosage and high adaptability in formulation technologies such as ODTs are expected to drive the sugar-based excipients market growth over the forecast period. Sugar alcohol is granular and white like sugar, and is used as a sugar alternative. The sugar alcohols differ in calorie content and sweetness level. Their sweetness level ranges from 50% to 100% that of sugar.

Market Trends

Demand for oral Route of Administration due to increased use of tablets, capsules, solutions, and emulsions for various therapeutic areas is anticipated to drive market growth. Oral route of administration form the largest category of pharmaceutical dosage. Although an excipient is pharmacologically inactive and does not interact with the active drug ingredients or other excipients, few excipients meet the criteria. Some sugar-based excipients can cause side effects and therefore should be avoided. For instance, Aspartame, which is used as a sweetener in drugs are not prescribed to patients with phenylketonuria.

However, all sugar-based products do not have fast dissolution rate and good compatibility or compressibility. Incompatibility with stringent government regulations for drug manufacturing and excipient usage are expected to hinder sugar-based excipient market growth. For instance, as per the European Medicines Agency, the usage of an excipient should be well reasoned, explaining its role and justification for inclusion of the amount used.