ISP Pharmaceuticals is embarking on a drug-solubility Initiative to support pharma companies working with poorly soluble drug actives. At a press conference held at CPhI Worldwide in Madrid, Spain, on Wednesday, the company explained that a huge amount of drugs in the pharmaceutical developmental pipeline present solubility issues.

“For the last several years, we have been hearing that more than 60% of drugs in the pharmaceutical developmental pipeline present solubility issues, but drug solubilization is much more than just a problem solver,” Philip Strenger, senior vice-president, EMEA & Global Pharma for ISP, explained in a press statement. “It can open up a number of important opportunities for pharmaceutical companies, such as improved safety and efficacy, better patient compliance and the ability for pharmaceutical companies to maximize their intellectual property over a long period of time.”

In the press statement, the company said that the initiative will be “multifaceted” and will “include R&D aimed at advancing the state of solubilization technology, the development and application of a broad portfolio of ingredients for use in solubilization as well as formulation services designed to enhance the solubility using different processing approaches for a broad range of actives.” The initiative will also lead ISP Pharmaceuticals to expand its solubilization facilities and personnel, as well as establish outreach programs with the industry and collaborations with other companies.

Strenger added that ISP Pharmaceuticals is addressing the problems associated with solubility in a number of ways. “Every drug will have its own range of requirements and each project will have physical and cost parameters within which we must work,” he said. “We feel that by developing a database of solutions, we can help pharmaceutical companies develop workable commercial solutions rapidly.”