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

Contact:

University os texas,
Austin, USA
Website : www.otc.utexas.edu