Flow nanoprecipitation of size-controlled D-leucine nanoparticles for spray-drying formulations

• Bruno Cerra, Gabriele Mosca, Maurizio Ricci, Aurélie Schoubben and Antimo Gioiello

• Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Via del Liceo 1, I-06122 Perugia, Italy

The increasing interest in the use of nanoparticles for biomedical applications has resulted in a growing demand for efficient and scalable methods that enable their preparation with a fine control over particle size, distribution and morphology. In this work we report a novel flow-based method for the flash nanoprecipitation of size-controlled D-leucine nanoparticles for spray-drying formulations. Preliminary experiments were conducted in batch to define best flowable conditions that were then optimized considering nanoparticle size and distribution using a mesofluidic flow system. The method was applied to the streamilined preparation of D-leucine nanoparticles readily nebulized by mini and nano spray-dryer devices and characterized by SEM analysis. Finally, the D-leucine atomized powder was used as glidant in dry powder for inhalation with micronized budesonide, a poorly water-soluble and low flowable anti-asthma drug.

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