The hydrophobic internal cavity of gamma cyclodextrin enables it to form host-guest inclusion complexes with a wide range of lipophilic drug molecules, improving their aqueous solubility, chemical stability, and dissolution rate. Its larger cavity size compared to alpha- and beta-cyclodextrin makes it particularly suited to encapsulating bulkier drug molecules, and it is notably the parent structure used to manufacture sugammadex.
Gamma cyclodextrin is a cyclic oligosaccharide composed of eight glucose units linked by a-1,4-glycosidic bonds, forming a truncated cone-shaped molecule with a hydrophilic exterior and hydrophobic cavity. It is widely used in pharmaceutical formulation to solubilize, stabilize, and enhance the bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drug molecules.
| Chemical Name | Gamma Cyclodextrin (?-CD) |
| CAS Number | 17465-86-0 |
| IUPAC Name | Cyclomaltooctaose |
| Molecular Formula | C48H80O40 |
| Molecular Weight | 1297.12 g/mol g/mol |
Forms inclusion complexes with poorly water-soluble APIs to improve dissolution and bioavailability.
Used as a solubilizer in IV injection formulations, including as the structural basis for sugammadex.
Protects sensitive drug molecules from oxidation/degradation and masks unpleasant taste or odor in oral formulations.
Applied in modified-release oral and topical drug delivery formulations.
Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol.
Our R&D centers specialize in the design and process development of complex heterocyclic and chiral molecules — mg to kg scale.