High-throughput formulation strategies for screening Amorphous Solid Dispersions (ASDs)

Amjad Abousleo – Senior Scientist, AstraZeneca; Jonathan Burley – Associate Professor, Pharmacy, Nottingham University; Michael Cook – Associate Professor, Pharmacy, University College London; Giuseppe Mantovani – Associate Professor, Nottingham University

Introduction: Approximately 70% of emerging drug candidates exhibit poor aqueous solubility (BCS II/IV), often due to crystalline solid states, creating major development challenges. Amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) improve apparent solubility and bioavailability by molecularly dispersing the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) within polymer matrices. Yet ~75% of FDA-approved ASDs rely on three polymers (HPMC, HPMCAS, PVPVA), limiting insight into structure–function relationships. Miniaturised automated 2D screening with bespoke polymers could accelerate, reduce cost, and optimise ASD design using nanogram quantities, enabling faster early-stage decision-making.