Drinkable, Tough Hydrogels for Gastrointestinal Applications
This technology is a method for oral drug delivery involving the administration of pharmaceutically acceptable fluids to a patient in drinkable form. These fluids then partially or fully solidify within 15’ in the stomach to form a slow or sustained drug release article. This drinkable formulation allows for easier oral administration of drugs in a liquid format which transitions to a solid state within the stomach while encapsulating the active agent(s), optimizing drug release over time while providing protection against the harsh environment of the stomach.
Researchers
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ingestible in vivo-assembling drug release formulations and methods
Patent Cooperation Treaty | Published application
Technology
This method can utilize either one or two compositions. If a singular composition is used, it is formulated to thicken and solidify when exposed to pH conditions in the gastrointestinal tract. In the case of two separate compositions, the first fluid contains crosslinkers, and the second fluid contains hydrogel precursors and pharmaceutical agent. When these fluids are mixed within the stomach, they polymerize to form a double network hydrogel. The patient drinks the first fluid followed by the second, allowing the mixture to harden to form an excipient containing the active pharmaceutical agent(s). The compositions and methods were enabled with crosslinked alginate and four-arm PEG-maleimide hydrogels for sustained releases of both viable enzymes and probiotic bacteria in vivo using large animal model systems (porcine). The biocompatible devices remained within the stomach for up to 24 hours prior to dissolution.
Problem Addressed
Oral drug delivery (e.g., pills, gel tabs, or capsules) can be difficult, unpleasant, or impossible for many patients, particularly older and younger ones. While liquid formulations are easier to ingest, they are susceptible to rapid dilution and/or degradation within the harsh environment of the gastrointestinal tract and may not provide ideal release profiles or localization of therapeutics. This technology offers a drinkable drug formulation capable of changing into a solid after swallowing.
Advantages
- Drinkable formula allows for easy drug administration
- Capable of transitioning from liquid to solid within the stomach
- Solid state protects the drug against the harsh gastric environment
- Longer gastric retention, allows for co-encapsulation, and improves control of API release kinetics
Publications
Liu, G.W., Pickett, M.J., Kuosmanen, J.L.P. et al. Drinkable in situ-forming tough hydrogels for gastrointestinal therapeutics. Nat. Mater. 23, 1292–1299 (2024). https://doi-org.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/10.1038/s41563-024-01811-5
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