Ibuprofen gels not a patch on new delivery tech say UK developers
The patch – which was developed by researchers at the University of Warwick and spinout company Medherant – consists of a transparent layer that is stuck to the skin with an adhesive polymer into which the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) - in this case ibuprofen - is incorporated.
Medherant CEO Nigel Davis told us the approach enables precise dosage control because the patches have “a defined size with a set amount of drug.”
He contrasted this with topical ibuprofen formulations that allow “patients to spread imprecise volumes of gel over different surface areas.”
Higher drug loads
The matrix technology – which is owned Medherant – is capable holding a significant amount of API – up to 30% by weight – Davis explained.
He added that resulting 'drug load' is between 5 and ten times higher than that found in currently available patches and gels.
The adhesive is exclusively licensed for transdermal use from Bostik, a unit of chemicals firm Arkema.
UK and global plans
Medherant and its academic partners intend to launch the first product to incorporate the technology – an over-the-counter pain treatment – sometime in the next two years Davis said adding that the organisations plan to “seek approval outside UK.”
He also stressed that the technology has wider application, explaining that: “We know that a lot of other APIs can be incorporated in our patches” and confirmed that Medherant is interested in partnering with the pharmaceutical industry.
