Aptar Active Material Science, part of AptarGroup, Inc., has announced the first commercial use of its Activ-Film™ technology in a capsule-based dry powder inhalation (DPI) drug product, marking a new application for its active material science platform.
The launch represents Aptar's first commercialization of Activ-Film™ technology for a dry powder inhalation system, expanding its use beyond previous applications in FDA-approved oral solid dosage drugs, implants and diagnostic products.
Controlling the Microclimate Inside the Blister
The capsule-based DPI incorporates Aptar's Activ-Film™ technology directly into the blister packaging used to house dry-powder capsules.
The solution is based on Aptar's 3-Phase Activ-Polymer™ technology, a platform of engineered active materials designed to support product stability and performance.
In this configuration, a custom-engineered piece of Activ-Film™ material is sealed within an aluminium blister cavity. A dedicated channel connects the active material to the drug product, allowing the material to help control the microclimate inside the blister cavity without coming into direct contact with the drug capsule.
This approach is designed to help protect moisture-sensitive dry powder formulations and support product performance throughout the product's shelf life.
Supporting More Complex Drug Products
As pharmaceutical formulations become increasingly complex and sensitive to environmental conditions, packaging is taking on a more active role in maintaining product integrity.
Aptar's active material science solutions are designed to support pharmaceutical companies in meeting drug-specific long-term and in-use stability requirements. The technologies can help mitigate degradation and impurity risks while supporting the overall integrity and therapeutic performance of the drug product.
Badre Hammond, Vice President of Commercial Operations and General Manager of Aptar Active Material Science, described the launch as an important milestone in the company's efforts to use material science to advance drug delivery performance and patient experience.
A New Role for Active Packaging in Drug Delivery
The commercialization highlights how pharmaceutical packaging is evolving beyond its traditional role as a passive protective barrier.
By integrating active materials directly into the packaging system, companies can create a controlled environment around sensitive drug products—helping address stability challenges without altering the formulation or requiring direct contact between the active packaging material and the medication.
For Aptar, the launch of Activ-Film™ in a capsule-based DPI opens a new chapter for the technology and demonstrates its potential to support increasingly sensitive inhalation therapies.