Hard shell capsules having improved colon release

Process for preparing a polymer-coated hard shell capsule, suitable as container for pharmaceutical or nutraceutical biologically active ingredients, 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 selected from the group consisting of alkyl citrates, alkyl phthalates, alkyl sebacates, diethyl sebacate, dibutyl sebacate, glycerol, polyethylene glycols, trialkyl citrate and polypropylene glycols;
• and
• e) optionally at least one additive;
• to obtain a coated, preferably only at the outer surface, hard shell capsule in the pre-locked state.