Overview

The use of oral drug delivery systems based on polymeric particles has been historically limited by stomach acidity, enzymatic activity, and low penetration through the GI tissue. We have invented pharmaceutical formulations containing coated particles that have increased systemic uptake into the blood and/or increased local GI uptake. The coated particles are absorbed by a mucous membrane, such as intestinal mucosa and/or GI tissue.

Market Opportunity

Though oral delivery systems based on polymeric particles are the preferred route for drug administration, their use has been limited by stomach acidity, enzymatic activity, and low penetration through the GI tissue. Most polymeric particles are entrapped and eliminated by the protective mucosal lining of the GI tract, significantly reducing the efficiency of such drug delivery systems. Thus, there is a need for improved compositions for delivery of active agents by oral and mucosal administration.

Innovation and Meaningful Advantages

We have invented pharmaceutical formulations for oral and mucosal drug delivery that increase the uptake or bioavailability of the delivered active agents, which may be therapeutic agents, prophylactic agents, or diagnostic agents. The coated particles contain a core and a coating. The core can be a polymeric core or a hydrophobic drug. The polymeric core may also contain bioadhesive polymers, which increase systemic uptake of particles by increasing residence time and adsorption into the mucosal layer. The coating contains a glycoprotein or a combination of a sugar, protein, oligosaccharide and/or polysaccharide and a protein containing an amino acid backbone with a minimum of 50 repeated units of serine and/or threonine. The coating of particles with a polymer core may also include one or more excipients to improve diffusion of the coated particle. The formulations have increased systemic uptake into the blood and/or increased local GI uptake. The coated particles are absorbed by a mucous membrane, such as intestinal mucosa and/or tissue.

Collaboration Opportunity

We are interested in exploring 1) research collaborations with leading pharmaceutical companies to develop this method of drug delivery; and 2) licensing opportunities with pharmaceutical companies.

Principal Investigator

IP Information

PCT Application PCT/US2023/063041, Filed February 22, 2023

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