In-licensing

A global OTC Pharma products group is seeking technologies, approaches and materials that are able to prolong adhesion to a mucosal surface of the oral, pharyngeal, throat, nasal and upper & lower respiratory tracts.

A global OTC Pharma products group is seeking technologies, approaches and materials that are able to prolong adhesion to a mucosal surface of the oral, pharyngeal, throat, nasal and upper & lower respiratory tracts, allowing also for the controlled release of ingredients / actives.

Background

Technologies, approaches and delivery systems are sought that enable selected materials (actives ingredients or other agents) to adhere to a mucosal tissue for prolonged periods of time, delivering a localised effect via slow release of selected ingredients.

Technical Requirements

The technical solution should be resistant to natural shearing caused by upper and lower respiratory tract activities - e.g. inhalation, swallowing, chewing, digestion of food and washing with saliva. It should also be possible to incorporate the technologies or approaches into solid or liquid formats.

Mandatory (+)

Demonstrable long lasting adhesion profiles, in excess of 2 hours, but easily removable/soluble after 6h, with mucosal surfaces of the upper and lower respiratory tracts.

Preferred (++)

In-vitro data that demonstrates a slow release profile of an ingredient or active from the technical solution. This should have been performed in a physiological fluid for equivalency.

Desirable (+++)

In-vivo data that shows correlation with in-vitro studies to demonstrate the action of the technical solution.

The materials should also meet the following requirements for incorporation into a consumer product:

1. Compatible with typical OTC Pharmaceutical product packaging and expected to be stable under global ambient temperature and humidity conditions for a period of 2 years.
2. Not require storage or handling under special or inert conditions, e.g. under nitrogen or under oil.
3. Soluble or readily dispersed in the formulations and not negatively affect or interfere with the properties of other components in the formulation.
4. Technologies must be capable of withstanding any process stresses e.g. temperature without chemical degradation or any adverse effects
5. Able to be able to be incorporated into current products using simple batch mixing at room temperature and atmospheric pressure with minimal heating/cooling and no or minimal changes required to current clean down processes.
6. Cost appropriate for consumer products (when incorporated at the required level). As examples, this means maximum £20/kg (GBP) for an ingredient incorporated at 1-5%, and maximum £250/kg (GBP) for an ingredient incorporated at

Registered

License agreement.

Joint Development.