The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) awarded Patent No. 9,925.149 – covering the formation and manufacturing methods for the NanoSphere Delivery System – to NanoSphere Health Sciences last week.
The technology employs fluid, viscoelastic nanoparticle structures to ‘nanoencapsulate’ and rapidly and effectively transport pharmaceuticals, cannabinoids, and other biological agents.
Comprised of an outer single layer membrane of essential phospholipids and an inner liquid lipid core, the technology “makes the nanoencapsulated agents safer and more bioavailable, reducing adverse effects by delivering precise doses of smart nanoparticles to target sites,” said the firm.
The outer phospholipid membrane and viscoelastic core can be modified to carry both lipophilic and hydrophilic compounds.
Chief scientific officer Richard Kaufman told us the system “can be applied across healthcare sectors to transform the way drugs are administered, bypassing the digestive system, GI [gastrointestinal] tract, first pass liver metabolism and even the highly restrictive blood-brain barrier.”
How does it work?
The lipid nanoparticles enhance factor absorption by facilitating active carrier-mediated transportation and passive diffusion through cell membranes, we were told.
“They can improve pharmacokinetics, factor tissue distribution profiles, intracellular penetration and distribution to target receptors,” Kaufman added.
Further, the technology allows for a high encapsulation percentage and strong protection of active ingredients from degradation, with minimal leakage and long-term stability.
“Human clinical research has demonstrated increased bioavailability, rapid onset of actions and extended circulation of NanoSphere smart lipid nanoparticles.”
Cost-efficient?
Kaufman told us its Transdermal NanoSerum product – which uses the technology to transport cannabinoids through the skin – is price competitive at a retail price of $1.50 (€1.21) per dose.
A 20-dose unit retails at $40, and a 40-dose unit is sold for $60.
Applications
According to Kaufman, all drugs with poor oral bioavailability are candidates for research.
“NanoSphere anticipates focusing on its pharmaceutical and over-the-counter medication division, specifically in regards to NSAIDs [nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs].
“After conducting initial several pre-clinical studies, NanoSphere will seek to partner with a larger pharmaceutical company to bring nanoencapsulated NSAIDs through the FDA [US Food and Drug Administration] process," we were told.
Nano trend
Nanotechnology has attracted increased interest in the drug delivery space.
Earlier this month, a researcher at Korea’s Institute for Basic Science (IBS) told us he was developing light-sensitive nanocontainers to deliver anticancer drugs.
Last week, we reported scientists in Oregon, US had made synthetic peptide ‘nanodrills’ designed to pierce cell membranes and deliver molecular drugs.