Muco-Adhesive Dosage Form

About

Opportunity A mucoadhesive, pH-responsive oral dosage form for the slow release of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT).  Because, this dosage form is mucoadhesive it has a prolonged residence time in the GIT which allows for slow release of the APIs and increased absorption of the same which leads to greater therapeutic efficacy.   Orally delivered drugs are generally preferred by patients due to their low cost and ease of use.  The success of orally delivered drugs is dependent on the passage of the dosage form (i.e. the tablet) through the GIT where it is absorbed, often in a non-specific manner.  Prolonged release dosage forms are becoming a more common mechanism by which are APIs are delivered to the GIT in an effort to increase absorption and efficacy.  However, prolonged release dosage forms are not always effective as the release of the APIs is not completed before the dosage form clears the GIT.  This incomplete release of the API's coupled with non-specific targeting within the GIT leads to decreased drug efficacy.       Wits researchers have developed a mucodadhesive, pH-responsive dosage form which adheres to the GIT. This prolongs API release in the GIT whilst retaining it for maximum total API release.  The pH dependency of the dosage form allows it to be customised to deliver a specific API to a particular region of the GIT.  The increased release of the APIs coupled to site-specific release leads to increased drug efficacy.  Key Benefits High drug residence time for prolonged API release Site specificity Improves therapeutic efficacy Current Status Limited animal studies completed Applications Oral dosage form to deliver a variety of APIs to the GIT Registered Intellectual Property Status This technology is the subject of patent applications pending in South Africa, India, Japan, China, the USA and Europe. Lifetime of patent remaining: 16 years Principal Researchers Viness Pillay, Lisa du Toit and Yahya Choonara Likely Route to Market The technology will ideally be licensed to the pharmaceutical industry Funding/Licensee Required Licensees are sought to evaluate and/or to conduct further tests