Wed Feb 04, 2026

Liquid-Filled Hard Capsule Manufacturing

Flexible Oral Delivery Solutions for Modern Drug Development

Liquid-filled hard capsules provide a versatile alternative to traditional solid oral dosage forms, offering advantages such as streamlined manufacturing, scalable production, rapid drug absorption, and improved product protection. Liquid filling enables precise control of valuable research compounds that may be available only in limited quantities, helping reduce material waste during development.

Because these capsules often require fewer excipients than tablets or other solid forms, they support faster formulation timelines and simplified development pathways. Liquid-filled hard capsules are particularly well-suited for compounds with formulation challenges, including low-dose products, poorly soluble molecules, and highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredients.

 

End-to-End Expertise in Liquid-Filled Capsule Development

Our integrated contract development and research capabilities support your molecule from early formulation through clinical supply manufacturing and commercial production.

Our infrastructure and capabilities include:

  • Advanced development and manufacturing facilities with formulation and analytical laboratories
  • Current Good Manufacturing Practice manufacturing suites, including high-potency areas with segregated cleanroom environments
  • Drug Enforcement Administration licensing for Schedules I–V, with secure controlled-substance storage
  • Specialized liquid-filled capsule processing equipment with sealing and banding technologies
  • Exceptional first-pass batch release performance
  • On-site stability chambers, controlled-substance testing, and final drug product release services

 

Why Choose Liquid-Filled Hard Capsules?

Liquid-filled hard capsules offer multiple formulation and performance advantages across various stages of pharmaceutical development.

Improved Bioavailability

Delivering the active ingredient in solution or suspension can significantly enhance absorption for compounds with limited water solubility.

Simplified Processing for Low Melting APIs

Formulating low-melting-point compounds as liquids eliminates challenges associated with solid handling and compression.

Low Dose and High Potency Applications

Liquid encapsulation minimizes powder exposure and reduces the risk of cross-contamination, improving operator safety during manufacturing.

Enhanced Product Stability

Hard-shell capsules provide protection from environmental moisture, supporting long-term dosage form stability.

Modified and Sustained Release Options

Capsule shell composition and internal formulation can be tailored to achieve specific dissolution and release profiles.

Efficient and Cost-Conscious Formulation

Liquid-filled capsules do not require binders, lubricants, or plasticizers commonly used in tablets and softgels, supporting lean formulation design.

Combination Filling Capabilities

Unlike softgels, hard capsules can incorporate liquids alongside beads, pellets, or mini-tablets for advanced combination therapies.

Tamper Resistance

Sealed and banded capsules create a secure, non-permeable dosage form.

Abuse-Deterrent Potential

Liquid-filled hard capsules make manipulation, injection, or inhalation more difficult, supporting abuse-deterrent strategies.

Advantages Compared to Softgels

Thinner capsule walls allow for smaller dosage sizes and faster, more complete dissolution.

Distinctive Branding Options

A wide selection of capsule and banding color combinations enables strong visual differentiation and product identity.

Learn how liquid-filled hard capsules can streamline development timelines and support efficient progression to the clinic.

 

Liquid-Filled Capsules: Accelerating the Path to Clinical Trials

Gelatin Capsules

A long-standing industry standard, gelatin capsules offer reliable performance and compatibility with high-speed filling and sealing operations. They support self-suspending mixture formulations at elevated temperatures and accommodate excipients designed to improve the bioavailability of challenging compounds.

Hypromellose Capsules (Plant-Derived)

Hypromellose capsules deliver consistent pharmaceutical performance while meeting global compendial requirements. They are compatible with a broad range of excipients, perform exceptionally well in low-humidity environments, and maintain mechanical integrity at reduced moisture levels. These capsules are ideal for innovative drug development programs and can support higher processing temperatures.

Enteric Capsules

Enteric capsule solutions protect active ingredients from gastric degradation and enable targeted release in the intestinal environment. By eliminating the need for additional enteric coating steps, these capsules simplify manufacturing while improving control over delayed-release performance.