VagiTab™

About

Opportunity A localized, pH-modulated vaginal drug delivery system (Vagitab™) to deliver contraceptives, microbicides (including those effective against HIV) and STD therapies to a patient effectively.  Vagitab™ also increases drug residence time and reduces messiness for improved patient compliance. Contraceptives, antifungals and antimicrobials can be administered vaginally. The vaginal wall is very well suited for the absorption of drugs for systemic use because it has a vastnetwork of blood vessels. This delivery route offers certain advantages such as avoidance of first pass metabolism, reduction in side effects, and local targeting of drugs to the reproductive organs. The currently available vaginal dosage forms have certain limitations such as messiness, leakage and low residence time, leading to poor patient compliance and loss of therapeutic efficacy. Wits researchers have developed a VagiTab™ to address these shortcomings and improve patient compliance resulting in enhanced therapeutic efficacy. Key Benefits Reduced messiness High drug residence time Improves patient compliance Improves therapeutic efficacy Current Status Limited animal studies completed Applications Contraception, STD prevention, antifungal and antimicrobial delivery Registered Intellectual Property Status This technology is the subject of granted patents in South Africa and patent applications pending in ARIPO, USA, India, Europe, China and Nigeria. Lifetime of patent remaining: 18 years Principal Researchers Valence Ndesendo, Yahya Choonara, and Viness Pillay 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