Abstract: A composition designed for application to a mucosa comprises a tonicity-adjusting agent, a methylcellulose, and a liquid diluent, wherein the methylcellulose has anhydroglucose units joined by 1-4 linkages wherein hydroxy groups of anhydroglucose units are substituted with methyl groups such that s23/s26 is 0.36 or less, wherein s23 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 3-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups and wherein s26 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups.

Abstract: Esterified cellulose ethers which comprise (i) groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA or (ii) a combination of aliphatic monovalent acyl groups and groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, wherein R is a divalent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon group and A is hydrogen or a cation, which have a viscosity of up 50 mPa·s, measured as a 10 wt % solution of the esterified cellulose ether in acetone at 20° C., and a weight average molecular weight Mw of at least 220,000 Dalton, or which have a viscosity of up 100 mPa·s, measured as a 10 wt % solution of the esterified cellulose ether in acetone at 20° C., and a weight average molecular weight Mw of at least 310,000 Dalton are useful for preparing solid dispersions comprising drugs.

Abstract: A process for fractionating an esterified cellulose ether comprising groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOH, wherein R is a divalent hydrocarbon group, comprises the steps of a) blending the esterified cellulose ether comprising groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOH with an aqueous liquid and setting the temperature of the resulting blend to less than 10° C. to dissolve a portion of the esterified cellulose ether in the aqueous liquid, b) separating the non-dissolved portion of the esterified cellulose ether from the remainder of the blend, and c) recovering or disposing of the esterified cellulose ether that is dissolved in the aqueous liquid.

Abstract: A liquid composition comprises an organic diluent and at least one cellulose ether having anhydroglucose units joined by 1-4 linkages and having methyl groups, hydroxyalkyl groups, and optionally alkyl groups being different from methyl as substituents such that hydroxyl groups of anhydroglucose units are substituted with methyl groups such that s23/s26 is 0.29 or less, wherein s23 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxyl groups in the 2- and 3-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with a methyl group and wherein s26 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxyl groups in the 2- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with a methyl group. The liquid composition can be used for preparing a solid dispersion of an active ingredient in a cellulose ether.

Abstract: A partially cross-linked esterified cellulose ether having A) groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA or a combination of aliphatic monovalent acyl groups and groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, wherein R is a divalent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon group and A is hydrogen or a cation, and B) having a molecular weight distribution such that [Wf(>100 k)?Wf(>100 k)XL]/Wf(>100 k)XL is at least 0.20, wherein Wf(>100 k) is the total weight fraction of the esterified cellulose ether that exceeds 100,000 g/mol, and Wf(>100 k)XL is the weight fraction that exceeds 100,000 g/mol of the methylated esterified cellulose ether is useful as enteric polymer for pharmaceutical dosage forms.

Abstract: A sustained release dosage form comprises an active ingredient blended with a polymeric matrix. At least a portion of the polymeric matrix is formed by a cellulose ether having an onset dissolution temperature of at least 40° C., having anhydroglucose units joined by 1-4 linkages and having methyl groups, hydroxyalkyl groups, and optionally alkyl groups being different from methyl as substituents such that the cellulose ether has an MS (hydroxyalkyl) of 0.05 to 1.00, and hydroxyl groups of anhydroglucose units are substituted with methyl groups such that [s23/s26?0.2*MS(hydroxyalkyl)] is 0.31 or less, wherein s23 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxyl groups in the 2- and 3-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with a methyl group and wherein s26 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxyl groups in the 2- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with a methyl group.

Abstract: An esterified cellulose ether which comprises (i) aliphatic monovalent acyl groups or (ii) groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, wherein R is a divalent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon group and A is hydrogen or a cation, or (iii) a combination of aliphatic monovalent acyl groups and groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, and which has a) a viscosity of from 1.2 to 1.8 mPaos, measured as a 2.0 wt % solution of the esterified cellulose ether in 0.43 wt % aqueous NaOH at 20° C., or b) a viscosity of up to 5 mPa·s, measured as a 10 wt % solution of the esterified cellulose ether in acetone at 20° C., or c) a combination of the viscosities of a) and b), is useful for preparing solid dispersions comprising drugs.

Abstract: Cellulose ethers are described herein which are useful in food compositions. In these cellulose ethers the ether substituents are methyl groups, hydroxyalkyl groups, and optionally alkyl groups being different from methyl, the cellulose ether has a DS(methyl) of from 1.65 to 2.20, an MS(hydroxyalkyl) of from 0.10 to 1.00, and hydroxy groups of anhydroglucose units are substituted with methyl groups such that [s23/s26?0.2*MS(hydroxyalkyl)] is 0.35 or less, wherein s23 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 3-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups and wherein s26 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups.

Abstract: Cellulose ethers are described which are useful in compositions for extrusion-molded bodies. In these cellulose ethers the ether substituents are methyl groups, hydroxyalkyl groups, and optionally alkyl groups being different from methyl, the cellulose ether has an MS (hydroxyalkyl) of 0.11 to 1.00, and hydroxy groups of anhydroglucose units are substituted with methyl groups such that [s23/s26?0.2*MS (hydroxyalkyl)] is 0.35 or less, wherein s23 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 3-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups and wherein s26 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups.

Abstract: A liquid composition which comprises an organic liquid diluent and at least one non-ionic cellulose ether having a viscosity of up to 2.33 mPa·s, measured as a 2 wt.-% solution in water at 20° C., is stable over an extended time period. The liquid composition is useful for preparing a solid dispersion comprising at least one active ingredient in at least one cellulose ether by spray-drying. Alternatively a solid dispersion can be produced by blending and extruding at least one active ingredient, at least one cellulose ether having a viscosity of up to 2.33 mPa·s and optionally one or more adjuvants.

Abstract: Esterified cellulose ethers which have i) as ester groups aliphatic monovalent acyl groups or a combination of aliphatic monovalent acyl groups and groups of the formula ——C(O)—R—COOA wherein R is a divalent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon group and A is hydrogen or a cation, ii) a weight average molecular weight Mw of from 80,000 Dalton to 220,000 Dalton, iii) a Polydispersity Mw/Mn of from 1.3 to 4.0, and iv) an Mz/Mn of not more than 18.5, when the weight average molecular weight Mw, the number average molecular weight Mn and the z-average molecular weight Mz are measured by SEC-MALLS using as mobile phase a mixture produced from 40 parts by volume of acetonitrile and 60 parts by volume of aqueous buffer containing 50 mM NaH2—PO4 and 0.1 M NaNO3. are useful as enteric polymers for pharmaceutical dosage forms.

Abstract: Esterified cellulose ethers which comprise (i) aliphatic monovalent acyl groups or (ii) groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, wherein R is a divalent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon group and A is hydrogen or a cation, or (iii) a combination of aliphatic monovalent acyl groups and groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, which have a viscosity of up to 2.33 mPa·s, measured as a 2.0 wt % solution of the esterified cellulose ether in 0.43 wt % aqueous NaOH at 20° C., and which have a viscosity of up to 13 mPao·s, measured as a 10 wt % solution of the esterified cellulose ether in acetone at 20° C. are useful for preparing solid dispersions comprising drugs.

Abstract: A liquid composition which comprises an organic liquid diluent and a hydroxyalkyl methylcellulose which has a certain distribution of substituted hydroxyalkoxyl groups and unsubstituted hydroxyalkoxyl groups is stable over an extended time period. In the hydroxyalkyl methylcellulose hydroxyalkoxyl groups are classified into a fraction (A) and a fraction (B), wherein fraction (A) represents the sum of all molar fractions of substituted hydroxyalkoxyl groups having hydroxyl groups substituted further with methoxyl groups and fraction (B) represents the sum of all molar fractions of unsubstituted hydroxyalkoxyl groups having hydroxyl groups not substituted further with methoxyl groups and wherein the ratio fraction (A)/fraction (B) is at least 0.30. The liquid composition is useful for preparing a solid dispersion comprising at least one active ingredient in at least one hydroxypropyl methylcellulose by spray-drying.

Abstract: Cellulose ethers are described herein which are useful in capsules or in coatings for dosage forms. In these cellulose ethers the ether substituents are methyl groups, hydroxyalkyl groups, and optionally alkyl groups being different from methyl, the cellulose ether has an MS (hydroxyalkyl) of 0.05 to 1.00, and hydroxy groups of anhydroglucose units are substituted with methyl groups such that [s23/s26?0.2*MS(hydroxyalkyl)] is 0.35 or less, wherein s23 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 3-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups and wherein s26 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups.

Abstract: A melt-extruded polymer composition comprising a) at least one cellulose ether, b) one or more active ingredients and c) one or more optional additives, wherein said at least one cellulose ether has an MS (hydroxyalkyl) of 0.05 to 0.55 and hydroxyl groups of anhydroglucose units are substituted with methyl groups such that [s23/s26?0.2*MS(hydroxyalkyl)] is 0.32 or less, wherein s23 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxyl groups in the 2- and 3-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with a methyl group and wherein s26 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxyl groups in the 2- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with a methyl group.

Abstract: A composition designed for application to a mucosa comprises a tonicity-adjusting agent, a methylcellulose, and a liquid diluent, wherein the methylcellulose has anhydroglucose units joined by 1-4 linkages wherein hydroxy groups of anhydroglucose units are substituted with methyl groups such that s23/s26 is 0.36 or less, wherein s23 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 3-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups and wherein s26 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups.

Abstract: An esterified cellulose ether comprises (i) aliphatic monovalent acyl groups or (ii) groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA wherein R is a divalent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon group and A is hydrogen or a cation or (iii) a combination of aliphatic monovalent acyl groups and groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, wherein the cellulose ether has anhydroglucose units joined by 1-4 linkages and has methyl groups, hydroxyalkyl groups, and optionally alkyl groups being different from methyl as substituents such that the esterified cellulose ether has an MS (hydroxyalkyl) of 0.05 to 1.00, and hydroxyl groups of anhydroglucose units are substituted with methyl groups such that [s23/s26?0.2*MS(hydroxyalkyl)] is 0.

Abstract: Esterified cellulose ethers which comprise (i) aliphatic monovalent acyl groups or (ii) groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, wherein R is a divalent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon group and A is hydrogen or a cation, or (iii) a combination of aliphatic monovalent acyl groups and groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, which have a viscosity of up to 2.33 mPa·s, measured as a 2.0 wt % solution of the esterified cellulose ether in 0.43 wt % aqueous NaOH at 20° C., and which have a viscosity of up to 13 mPao·s, measured as a 10 wt % solution of the esterified cellulose ether in acetone at 20° C. are useful for preparing solid dispersions comprising drugs.

Abstract: An esterified cellulose ether which comprises (i) aliphatic monovalent acyl groups or (ii) groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, wherein R is a divalent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon group and A is hydrogen or a cation, or (iii) a combination of aliphatic monovalent acyl groups and groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, and which has a) a viscosity of from 1.2 to 1.8 mPaos, measured as a 2.0 wt % solution of the esterified cellulose ether in 0.43 wt % aqueous NaOH at 20° C., or b) a viscosity of up to 5 mPa·s, measured as a 10 wt % solution of the esterified cellulose ether in acetone at 20° C., or c) a combination of the viscosities of a) and b), is useful for preparing solid dispersions comprising drugs.

Abstract: Esterified cellulose ethers which comprise (i) aliphatic monovalent acyl groups or (ii) groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, wherein R is a divalent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon group and A is hydrogen or a cation, or (iii) a combination of aliphatic monovalent acyl groups and groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, which have a viscosity of up 19 mPa·s, measured as a 10 wt % solution of the esterified cellulose ether in acetone at 20° C., and which have a weight average molecular weight Mw of at least 90,000 Dalton, are useful for preparing solid dispersions comprising drugs.