Nano technologies -
Nanoparticles for Improved Drug Delivery and Stability
Introduction
A large number of drugs (>40%)
currently being developed are poorly water soluble,
which greatly reduces the efficacy of the drug. One
proposed solution is to produce smaller drug particles
to increase the surface area which will then enhance
dissolution rate and extent of drug absorption. However,
these poorly water soluble drug particles tend to aggregate,
negating the effects of creating the small particles.
Current strategies to enhance the delivery of poorly
water soluble drugs, including micro-emulsification,
the use of liposomes, solid solutions by melt extrusion,
and complexation with cyclodextrins, have several limitations
and may all produce unstable systems.
Invention Description
The present invention is a drug carrier
system that uses a hot-melt extrusion technique where
fine drug particles are suspended in an immiscible polymeric
carrier. The carrier system acts to stabilize the fine
drug particles in such a way that particle aggregation
and agglomeration do not occur during processing or
upon storage at various temperature and relative humidity
conditions. The fine drug particles are achieved using
current methods and the melt extrusion process breaks
up aggregates and suspends the primary particles as
isolated drug particles that are homogenously dispersed
throughout the carrier matrix.
Benefits
Reduces the required dosage
Deaggregation into primary particles
occurs
Cost effective
Stable drug delivery system
High drug loading
Simple manufacturing process
Extended product life cycle
Features
Allows high drug loading of fine
particles
Stable and easily portable solid
dosage form
The solid can be produced in a
variety of useful delivery forms (powders, tablets,
films, etc.)
Can be formulated to provide a
variety of drug release profiles
A non-solubilizing and stabilizing
drug carrier system
Carrier enhances the wetting and
dissolution of the drug particles
Market Potential/Applications
In 2002, the drug delivery market
was about $1.6 billion and is predicted to be in excess
of $4.5 billion by 2007. This technology can aid in
the development of new drug formulations as well as
extend the life cycle management of existing drugs.
Development Stage
Beta product/commercial prototype
IP Status
One U.S. Patent Application filed
UT Researcher
Robert O. Williams III, Ph. D., College
of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin
James W. McGinity, Ph. D., College of Pharmacy, The
University of Texas at Austin
