Slot-die Coater Enables Breakthrough in Pharmaceutical Drug Delivery Thin-Films

Precision Coating for Advanced Drug Delivery

In a recent study published in Molecular Pharmaceutics, researchers at the Technical University of Denmark and the University of Copenhagen used infinityPV’s Research Laboratory Coater (now evolved into the Slot-die Coater) to push forward innovation in pharmaceutical thin films. Using the system’s precise slot-die coating process, they were able to fabricate smooth, uniform pectin-based buccal films that could be tuned for different drug release rates and mucoadhesive properties.

These buccal films, designed to deliver drugs directly through the mucosal membranes of the mouth, represent a promising alternative to conventional oral administration by bypassing the gastrointestinal tract and improving patient comfort. With the coater ensuring accuracy in thickness and reproducibility, the team demonstrated that the films released medication in a controlled manner, adhered effectively to the mucosa, and remained highly biocompatible. Their results underline how slot-die coating empowers researchers to transform laboratory formulations into scalable, patient-friendly drug delivery systems.

Challenge: Moving Beyond Traditional Film Fabrication

Conventional methods for making thin drug delivery films, such as solvent casting, are easy to use but fall short when scalability and reproducibility are required. These approaches often result in films with variable thickness and inconsistent drug release profiles. Newer techniques such as 3D printing offer customization but introduce additional complexity, cost, and difficulties in scaling to larger production runs.

For the research team, the challenge was to identify a method that could combine precision, consistency, and scalability while keeping the process relatively simple. The films needed to be not only uniform in their structure but also adaptable, since drug release and mucoadhesion can vary greatly depending on the formulation.

Solution: Slot-die Coating with the Research Laboratory Coater

To address these limitations, the researchers chose slot-die coating with the Research Laboratory Coater. With exact control over key parameters such as film thickness, drying, and ink delivery, they were able to produce high-quality pectin-based films containing varying amounts of glycerol. Each film was cast with a slot-die head, dried under controlled conditions, and cut into standardized sizes for testing.

The Research Laboratory Coater made it possible to move from lab-scale preparation to a process that closely mirrors industrial coating techniques, ensuring that the results would be reproducible and relevant beyond the academic setting.

Results: Consistency, Tunability, and Biocompatibility

Films produced with the Research Laboratory Coater were uniform, defect-free, and structurally robust. Without glycerol, films were brittle and released nearly all paracetamol within an hour. Increasing glycerol improved flexibility, mucoadhesion, and controlled drug release. At 20% glycerol, films slowed release to 74% in the first hour and doubled paracetamol permeation through porcine buccal tissue, while remaining highly biocompatible.

Key outcomes:

• Uniform films: Crack-free across all glycerol levels.

• Controlled release: 95% drug release without glycerol vs. 74% with 20% glycerol after 60 minutes.

• Enhanced adhesion: Glycerol-rich films stayed longer on mucosal surfaces.

• Improved permeability: 20% glycerol doubled drug absorption.

• High biocompatibility: Safe for oral cells.

Evolving to a Next-Generation Slot-Die Coater

The Research Laboratory Coater has been the foundation for countless breakthroughs in thin-film research, including the buccal drug delivery films developed in this study. Building on years of hands-on experience and customer feedback, infinityPV has taken everything that made the Research Laboratory Coater a trusted laboratory tool and refined it into the new Slot-die Coater.

The latest generation delivers the same precision and reproducibility, but with important improvements: the system is more compact, easier to operate, and designed with higher quality components that ensure consistent performance over time. Researchers benefit from a streamlined workflow, faster setup, and intuitive controls, making the Slot-die Coater ideal not only for experienced users but also for those who are new to precision coating.

Unlocking New Opportunities in Pharmaceutical Research

The Research Laboratory Coater enabled Danish researchers to produce uniform buccal films with controlled drug release, strong mucoadhesion, and excellent biocompatibility—achievements difficult with traditional methods. Now evolved into the next-generation Slot-die Coater, the system offers the same precision in a more compact, user-friendly design, making advanced thin-film R&D more accessible across pharmaceuticals, MedTech, and energy applications.

How Can We Help With Your Research?

Need help with slot-die coating, coating machines, or any related applications?
Contact infinityPV’s experts today for professional guidance and support.

Related Products