Nano & micro-delivery systems : the Pheroid® story / Anne Frederica Grobler

Abstract

For a drug to have a therapeutic effect, it has to reach its site of action in sufficient quantities. The Pheroid® delivery system enhances the absorption of various pharmacological compounds and biological molecules. The resulting nano- and micro vesicles and -sponges acts as bio-transporters that can entrap hydrophilic, hydrophobic or amphiphilic compounds for biomedical and agricultural application. The potential use of Pheroid® technology in vaccines, peptide drugs, topical products and cosmeceuticals, antimicrobial treatments and agriculture was investigated. The in vivo absorption and bioavailability, as well as the in vitro efficacy of Pheroid®-based formulations were determined. In a phase 1 bio-equivalence study, a Pheroid®-containing combination for tuberculosis was compared against the comparative market leader. For oral administration, a precursor format, the pro-Pheroid®, was developed, wherein the vesicles and/or sponges are formed post-administration. In all of these areas, the Pheroid® showed applicability: the results showed improved uptake and/or efficacy of the entrapped chemical or biological compound after administration by a number of administration routes. Based on these in vitro and in vivo results, a number of products are currently under development and eight patents are registered in various countries to protect its applications.