Introducing dsm-firmenich’s new portfolio of taste solutions for pharmaceutical formulations

Summary 

• The demand for patient-friendly medications is growing. 
• Pill fatigue, dysphagia, and taste aversion – especially in the treatment of chronic disease – may impact patient compliance to medication, prompting drug developers to rethink existing or create new formulations that are both effective and palatable. 
• In response, dsm-firmenich has launched a new portfolio of taste solutions designed specifically for pharmaceutical applications, helping manufacturers to overcome taste challenges such as bitterness, and improve the sensory experience of their products.

Over 60 percent of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are inherently bitter, and many have other unpleasant characteristics that challenge patient acceptance.¹ Poor taste and texture are major reasons why patients – particularly children and the elderly – struggle with adherence to prescribed treatments.^2-4 In fact, studies show that four out of ten consumers consider taste an important purchase driver for over-the-counter products.⁵

Overcoming challenges with tasteful solutions

dsm-firmenich has drawn on its deep expertise in taste science and industry requirements to develop a comprehensive portfolio of flavors, extracts, aromatic compounds, maskers, blockers and sensates dedicated to the pharmaceutical market. These solutions can be applied across various solid, liquid, and semi-solid dosage forms, providing formulators with versatile options to enhance palatability while maintaining drug safety and efficacy.

A science-backed approach to taste modulation

Creating palatable drug formulations requires more than just adding sweetness. The perception of bitterness is controlled by bitter taste receptors - known as bitter TAste-Sensing type 2 Receptors (TAS2Rs) - which is a complex family of proteins that trigger an aversive response when activated by certain APIs.¹ dsm-firmenich’s taste modulation solutions are designed to work at multiple levels, addressing bitterness perception directly and improving overall flavor balance:

• Bitter blockers: bind to TAS2Rs to prevent bitter compounds from activating them, reducing the perception of bitterness at a molecular level.⁶
• Bitter maskers: modify the overall taste profile by introducing competing sensory inputs that override unpleasant flavors.
• Sensates: cooling, warming or tingling agents that create a multisensory experience, distracting from bitterness and enhancing patient acceptability.⁷
• Encapsulation technologies: protect flavor compounds, ensuring long-lasting taste stability while preventing unwanted interactions between APIs and taste-modulating ingredients.

Our team is making use of these innovative strategies to help pharmaceutical companies develop patient-friendly formulations without compromising on safety or efficacy.

Partnering for success

Beyond providing innovative taste solutions, we offer dedicated support – from scientific and technical, to quality and regulatory services – guiding customers through every step of the drug development process.

Jérôme Barra, Vice President Global Marketing Taste, HNC at dsm-firmenich, comments: “We are incredibly excited to unveil this new range of taste solutions for our customers in the pharmaceutical industry. The demand for patient-friendly medications is on the rise, but drug developers face many challenges in masking unpleasant notes and improving the taste of drug products. We’ve unraveled the complex science of designing clean taste profiles to tackle these issues, allowing our customers to focus on effectively bringing their medicines to market.”

Fernanda Onofre, Global Marketing Director, Pharma Excipients, HNC at dsm-firmenich, adds: “Sitting alongside this new portfolio is the unwavering support dsm-firmenich is committed to give its customers. We work closely with our customers on all levels – from technical requirements to regulatory obligations – to ensure that they are supported at every stage of the drug development process.”

Shaping the future of pharmaceutical taste solutions

As the industry moves towards more patient-centric dosage forms, taste is becoming an essential part of drug development. dsm-firmenich is leading the way with its novel portfolio of taste solutions – together with our science-backed technologies, quality and regulatory expertise, and patient-centric approach to innovation – helping pharmaceutical manufacturers to create medications that patients are more likely to accept and adhere to.