Under the accord, showcased at AAPS 2009 in Los Angeles, researchers develop polymer-drug formulations that can be produced using hot melt extrusion, with a particular focus on improving delivery characteristics.
In practice, Delivery Science determines the chemical properties, thermal characteristics and optimal delivery route of a particular polymer/ active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) combination, at which point URI conducts analytical testing.
Company managing director Tony Listro said that URI’s analyses, primarily dissolution and stability assessments, will focus on further optimising the drug formulation.
“The tests determine whether the active is present in and stable in formulation,” explained Listro, adding that: “they also determine the dissolution and release properties of the drug, whether or not any degradants are formed”.
Once all the relevant data has been gathered Delivery Science blends and extrudes the mixture in batches suitable for clinical assessment at its current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) facility in Putnam, Connecticut.
Listro said that the aim of the partnership is to industry clients a faster path through the drug development process and added that working with URI is a “natural extension of Delivery Science’s development capabilities and services.”
Dave Worthern, visiting assistant professor of biomedical and pharmaceutical services at URI, was also positive about the collaboration, explaining that it has already made considerable progress.
“[The partnership] has led to developments in basic and applied sciences, educational opportunities and student internships in a hands-on, real world setting [as well as] breakthroughs in product development and global health issues.”