Tech Forum: Enhancing Patient Care Through Advancements in Orally Disintegrating Tablets

Orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) continue to redefine patient-centric drug delivery by combining convenience, efficacy, and compliance, especially for populations with swallowing difficulties such as pediatric, geriatric, and oncology patients. Among ODT technologies, Zydis®, Catalent’s proprietary lyophilized platform, offers ultra-rapid disintegration without the need for water and enables oromucosal dispersion for faster onset of action and potential for pre-gastric absorption. Zydis® has successfully supported the commercialization of multiple small molecule therapies and is now being applied to emerging modalities, including peptides and novel molecular entities. Novel coating strategies under evaluation may also support the development of extended-release Zydis® formulations, expanding its potential beyond immediate-release applications. This work includes ongoing evaluations using model compounds, such as ibuprofen, to illustrate extended-release potential and regulatory feasibility. This presentation will showcase real-world case studies and development strategies across pipeline and commercial programs. Attendees will gain insight into how Zydis® enables differentiated products, lifecycle extension, and improved patient access across a growing spectrum of therapeutic areas, including high-impact applications in oncology, where ease of administration is critical for patients undergoing chemotherapy.