An Optimized Process for the Preparation of Aqueous Ferric Carboxymaltose: Synthesis and Structural Characterization.

Background: Ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) formulation consists of iron-carbohydrate nanoparticles where iron-oxyhydroxide as a core is covered by a carbohydrate shell. The present work provides an improved synthesis process of FCM as an intravenous iron, active pharmaceutical ingredient.

Methods: Water-soluble FCM complex was prepared from the reaction of ferric hydroxide precipitation with an aqueous solution of oxidized maltodextrin (MD) at optimum temperature and pH conditions.

Functionalized mesoporous silicon for targeted-drug-delivery.

The present work concerns a preliminary step in the production of anticancer drug loaded porous silicon (PSi) for targeted-drug-delivery applications. A successful procedure for the covalent attachment of folic acid, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and doxorubicin to hydrophilic mesoporous silicon layers is presented. A systematic approach has been followed to obtain the optimal composition of the N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC)/N-hydroxysuccimide (NHS) in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) solution for the surface activation process of the undecylenic acid (UD) grafted molecules to take place with minimal undesired byproduct formation.