BioProgress and Uluru join films
speciality pharmaceutical company Uluru to combine their film
technologies in order to create an edible film which allows
sustained release of active ingredients.
Attracting Bioprogress to Uluru was its erodible film technology, Oradisc, which sticks to mucous membranes and offers sustained release of actives into the systemic circulation over a period of several hours.
On the other hand, BioProgress' in-the-mouth films strips dissolve and release the embedded active ingredients instantly rather than in a sustained delivery.
The two companies therefore hope they can develop products with properties that neither technology could achieve on its own.
They will focus on an anti-emetic product for the relief of nausea since Bioprogress has a large amount of in-house expertise in this area and Uluru has significant experience in development of film technology through US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval.
Patients with nausea are often unable to take tablets effectively, so an in-the-mouth instant release anti-emetic offers a good solution to treat acute nausea and the OraDisc technology provides a longer-term solution to the problem.
"The technologies from both companies are complimentary and can work in combination to create products with both instant release and sustained release characteristics," Richard Trevillion, CEO of BioProgress, said.
"This approach has the potential to create real therapeutic value and enhance the effectiveness of medicines."
Uluru is focused on the development of a portfolio of wound management, plastic surgery and oral care products to provide patients and consumers improved clinical outcomes through controlled delivery.
"This partnership is exciting for both companies as we can access the development strengths and resources of both groups," Kerry Gray, CEO of Uluru, said.
"Our ability to combine instant release with sustained delivery over an extended period has the potential to create considerable value."
Bioprogress's pharmaceutical dosage form offers many advantages, such as delivery of drug without water, convenient dosage form to carry around, suitability for paediatrics and geriatrics and compliance in conditions where swallowing is a problem, including nausea.
The company's XGel Film System can be made to encapsulate a wide range of substances in a variety of shapes and sizes and replaces the need to use animal-derived gelatine in pharmaceutical and healthcare products.
