Microencapsulation is a complex technique that involves incorporating active compounds – liquids, solids or gases – in tiny protective spheres (microcapsules) having a diameter as small as Ø 0.5 to 10 µm. The microcapsules look like powder to the naked eye. The coating (shell), which is thinner than the width of human hair, creates a barrier, isolating and protecting active compounds from the external environment.

We offer more than just simple microencapsulation. We pioneered programmed-shell microcapsules with controlled and targeted drug-release functions. We programme the microcapsule shells to enable a release on demand – release at the right place, in the right dosage, at the right time, and under certain conditions to address specific needs. Based on polyelectrolyte multi-layered composite microcapsules invented by our CSO, Professor Gleb Sukhorukov, our advanced microencapsulation technology is a game-changer.

Different microencapsulation techniques are currently available on the market. They include emulsion spray-drying, microemulsification, liposomal and microfluidic microencapsulation. However, the widespread emulsion spray-drying and microemulsification techniques are technologically limited solutions, producing emulsion microdroplets without a shell, which aren’t technically microcapsules. The absence of a distinctive external wall, or shell, makes the controlled release impossible. The emulsification process also limits the choice of active substances for microencapsulation.

Liposomes and microfluidic solutions are more advanced options. While liposomes have been increasingly popular over the last couple of decades as nanocarriers for drug delivery, they have several limitations. Their major drawbacks include their limited stability, both physical and chemical, high production costs, leakage and fusion of encapsulated drugs/molecules and low solubility. Also, the choice of active substances for microencapsulation is limited. The more advanced microfluidic technology has attracted growing interest in recent years. However, despite its potential, there is still a step away from laboratory research to large-scale industrial production. Microfluidics remains a high-cost and low-yield technique, limiting it to research purposes.

ADVANCED MICROENCAPSULATION TECHNOLOGY

Our coaxial electrospray technology combines the best of the available microencapsulation techniques. It is as advanced as microfluidics, but with regard to production volumes and costs, it is in the same range as spray-drying and microemulsification. Unlike microemulsions that are widely used for prolonged drug release, our polyelectrolyte multi-layered composite microcapsules have a shell that creates a physical barrier isolating the encapsulated compounds from the environment. We offer true core-shell structures.

PROGRAMMED-SHELL MICROCAPSULES WITH CONTROLLED AND TARGETED RELEASE FUNCTIONS

Compared to the existing microencapsulation techniques, our programmed-shell microcapsules offer some unique properties and diversity of controlled release regimes. The shells could be readily modified to incorporate various additive layers, such as silica, nanoparticles, and lipids, to make microcapsules responsive to remote stimuli, such as ultrasound, near-infrared laser light, magnetic field, and others.

WE ARE EXPERTS IN MICROENCAPSULATION

INCAPTEK’s unique microencapsulation technology is based on more than 25 years of ongoing research. Possessing an unmatched expertise in microencapsulation, we design advanced, tailor-made and fully customisable microencapsulation solutions.

WE INTRODUCE CONTROLLED-RELEASE MICROCAPSULES

We introduce smart microcapsules offering a unique functionality – controlled and targeted delivery of active substances. Our advanced microencapsulation technology produces programmed-shell microcapsules with a complex shell design that can open and release active substances according to predefined scenarios. Such competitive advantages are the result of our R&D team’s long-standing experience and leading position in scientific research.

We ensure controlled release by varying polymers’ composition, density, and shell thickness. The selection of the appropriate shell material depends on the objectives, specific requirements and the final application of the product. We also take into consideration the microparticle size, properties of active compounds, environmental conditions, the required release mechanism and stability.

Our patented coaxial electrospray technology produces micron- and submicron structures of a given geometry (spheres, fibres). To produce microcapsules, an active substance enters through the inner tube, and a shell through the outer tube. Both are combined on the exit, resulting in the controlled process of microencapsulation. This technique enables us to encapsulate a wide range of active substances and achieve the required properties of the final product.

The production capacity of one industrial unit ranges from several kilos to several tons of microcapsules per month.