Pharmaceutical Processing World

  • Home
  • Regulatory
    • Recalls
  • Pharmaceutical Processing
  • Facility
  • Supply Chain
  • Equipment and Materials
  • Contract Manufacturing
  • Resources
    • Voices
  • Advertise
  • SUBSCRIBE

Metrics Scientist Awarded Patent For Zero-Order Release Tablet Technology

By Pharmaceutical Processing | October 28, 2014

An expert scientist in pharmaceutical formulation development at Metrics Contract Services has been awarded a patent for intellectual property about controlled release technology.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office awarded Dr. Thomas B. “Brad” Gold a patent (No. 8,858,993) for his application, “Coated tablets with zero-order or near zero-order release kinetics.” 

Gold’s intellectual property centers on formulation development technology that allows for the steady, continuous release of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) during a particular duration of time, so that a patient won’t experience variations or spikes of the medication’s therapeutic benefit.

“For a drug with a 12-hour release profile, for example, the tablet would release 100 percent of the API steadily throughout that time period without any drop offs or spikes, which sometimes occur with other modified release technologies,” Gold explained. “This is very advantageous for maintenance drugs and chronic therapies – such as heart medications – that need to reach a steady state in the patient’s bloodstream as soon as possible and remain there.”  

Gold’s patent application builds upon osmotic techniques used to deliver soluble and insoluble large- or small-molecule drugs. Heretofore, true osmotic delivery relied on a matrix tablet with complex manufacturing needs – such as, for example, the application of a solvent for the coating, the need to drill an orifice into the coating, and specialized equipment.

“The manufacturing of osmotic tablets is difficult, not very practical and expensive — and for that reason, not many companies do it,” Gold explained.

By contrast, Gold’s innovation provides osmotic-like delivery benefits without the accompanying manufacturing challenges. Gold’s patented zero-order release technology uses direct compression, three to five excipients plus the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), and a much simpler coating – so that the tablet behaves similarly to an osmotic release tablet.

“Our technology offers the advantage of ease of manufacturing using standard industry processes and equipment,” he said.

John S. Ross, executive vice president of Metrics, said the patent reflects the kind of thoughtful scientific leadership that Gold and his colleagues apply to their work each day. The formulation development scientists at Metrics offer a depth of relevant experience that enables them to identify solutions to clients’ most challenging pharmaceutical projects, he said.

“For 20 years, pharma companies have consistently turned to Metrics for help in effectively delivering the full therapeutic benefit of their latest drug discoveries,” Ross said. “The reason they come back to us time and again is because we deliver sound and practical science. I congratulate Brad on this most impressive accomplishment.”

Related Articles Read More >

Great Point Partners logo.
Great Point Partners acquires majority stake in Eutecma to fuel sustainable cold chain growth
Driving success in fast-paced high-tech pharma construction projects
This is a photo of the Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies plant under construction in Holly Springs, North Carolina.
Fujifilm, Regeneron ink $3B U.S. manufacturing agreement
This is the logo of Johnson & Johnson.
J&J breaks ground on $2B manufacturing facility in North Carolina
“ppw
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest news, technologies, and developments in Pharmaceutical Processing.

DeviceTalks Tuesdays

DeviceTalks Tuesdays

MEDTECH 100 INDEX

Medtech 100 logo
Market Summary > Current Price
The MedTech 100 is a financial index calculated using the BIG100 companies covered in Medical Design and Outsourcing.
Pharmaceutical Processing World
  • Subscribe to our E-Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • R&D World
  • Drug Delivery Business News
  • Drug Discovery & Development
  • DeviceTalks
  • MassDevice
  • Medical Design & Outsourcing
  • MEDICAL TUBING + EXTRUSION
  • Medical Design Sourcing
  • Medtech100 Index
  • R&D 100 Awards

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Pharmaceutical Processing World

  • Home
  • Regulatory
    • Recalls
  • Pharmaceutical Processing
  • Facility
  • Supply Chain
  • Equipment and Materials
  • Contract Manufacturing
  • Resources
    • Voices
  • Advertise
  • SUBSCRIBE