HARD SHELL CAPSULES HAVING IMPROVED COLON RELEASE

The invention refers to a process for preparing a polymer-coated hard shell capsule, wherein the hard shell capsule comprises a body and a cap, wherein in the closed state the cap overlaps the body either in a pre-locked state or in a final-locked state, wherein the hard shell capsule is provided in the pre-locked state and coated with a coating solution, suspension or dispersion comprising or consisting of a) at least one (meth)acrylate copolymer a), comprising polymerized units of 5 to 25 % by weight of methacrylic acid and 75 to 95 % by weight of C1 - to C4-alkylesters of methacrylic acid and/or C1- to C4-alkylesters of acrylic acid; b) 1 to 25, preferably 5 to 18, % by weight, based on the total weight of the at least one (meth)acrylate copolymer a), of at least one alkali or ammonium salt of a saturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acid having 10 to 30 carbon atoms; c) glycerol monostearate and/or glycerol distearate; d) at least one plasticizer; and e) optionally at least one additive; to obtain a coated hard shell capsule in the pre-locked state. Furthermore, the invention refers to a polymer-coated hard shell capsule obtained from the process according to the invention and the use of the polymer-coated hard shell capsule for delayed or sustained release.