Capsugel acquires ionic liquids technology from Monash University in Australia
Technology offers a novel approach to improving the solubility of lipid and liquid-based drugs
Capsugel has acquired the intellectual property concerning the proprietary ionic liquids technology developed at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS), Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, for an undisclosed sum.
The technology uses lipid-like counter-ion salts to improve the solubility of drugs in lipid-based liquid, semi-solid and multiparticulate formulations and will expand Capsugel Dosage Form Solutions’ growing suite of bioavailability enhancement technologies and capabilities.
Under the terms of the agreement, Monash University will transfer its patent application and associated results and know-how to Capsugel.
The US contract manufacturer company will also extend its existing partnership with MIPS by funding additional research positions to accelerate ongoing and future drug delivery projects.
This represents a valuable addition to our capabilities in designing and developing innovative immediate and modified-release dosage forms
MIPS and Capsugel have a decade-long history of collaboration in lipid-based drug delivery science including co-founding the Lipid Formulation Classification System (LFCS) Consortium to advance and standardise evaluation protocols for lipid-based drug-delivery systems.
Keith Hutchison, Senior Vice President, Research & Development at Capsugel said the ionic liquids technology would allow the company 'to significantly increase drug solubility, reduce absorption variability, decrease excipient levels and reduce pill burden'.
'This represents a valuable addition to our capabilities in designing and developing innovative immediate and modified-release dosage forms. Our continuing work with Monash holds great potential for additional drug-delivery innovations in the future,' he said.
The technology developed at MIPS can enhance lipid-based formulation performance through overall solubility improvement across a range of drugs and lipophilicity profiles. Capsugel Dosage Form Solutions’ bioavailability-enhancing technologies includes spray-dried dispersions, hot-melt extrusion and nanotechnology, in addition to lipid and liquid-based formulations.
