Abstract: This invention provides a composition for the intranasal delivery of fentanyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to an animal comprising an aqueous solution of fentanyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable additive selected from (i) a pectin and (ii) a poloxamer and chitosan or a salt or derivative thereof; provided that when the composition comprises a pectin it is substantially free of divalent metal ions; and which, in comparison to a simple aqueous solution of fentanyl administered intranasally at the same dose, provides a peak plasma concentration of fentanyl (Cmax) that is from 10 to 80% of that achieved using a simple aqueous solution of fentanyl administered intranasally at an identical fentanyl dose.

Abstract: PEG-chitosan conjugates comprising chitosan and polyethylene glycol moieties or derivatives thereof which are bonded together and their use in medicine is described. In one embodiment, the conjugate comprises a chitosan moiety or a derivative thereof and a polyethylene glycol moiety or a derivative thereof which are bonded together via the amino function on the chitosan by the use of an activated chitosan species. In another embodiment, the conjugate comprises a chitosan moiety or a derivative thereof and a polyethylene glycol moiety or a derivative thereof which are bonded together, the chitosan portion of the conjugate having a molecular weight in the range of from 10 kilodaltons to 1000 kilodaltons.

Abstract: PEG-chitosan conjugates comprising chitosan and polyethylene glycol moieties or derivatives thereof which are bonded together and their use in medicine is described. In one embodiment, the conjugate comprises a chitosan moiety or a derivative thereof and a polyethylene glycol moiety or a derivative thereof which are bonded together via the amino function on the chitosan by the use of an activated chitosan species. In another embodiment, the conjugate comprises a chitosan moiety or a derivative thereof and a polyethylene glycol moiety or a derivative thereof which are bonded together, the chitosan portion of the conjugate having a molecular weight in the range of from 10 kilodaltons to 1000 kilodaltons.

Abstract: Lamellar particles are provided comprising a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer and carrying a cationic charge on their surface. These particles are prepared by mixing a preformed negatively charged lamellar particle with a positively charged material. Compositions using these particles may include genetic material or antigens, for example, and may be used as a drug delivery system, such as a sustained release system.

Abstract: A vaccine composition adapted for mucosal administration is provided. The composition includes one or more influenza vaccine antigens and an effective adjuvant amount of an acid addition salt of a chitosan wherein the chitosan is a deacetylated chitin which is at least 80% deacetylated and has a weight average molecular weight of between 10,000 and 100,000.

Abstract: There is provided vaccine compositions for intranasal administration, which compositions comprise one or more antigens and an effective adjuvant amount of a chitosan.

Abstract: Liquid pharmaceutical compositions for administration to a mucosal surface, comprising a therapeutic agent and a pectin with a low degree of esterification are described. Such compositions gel, or can be adapted to gel, at the site of application in the absence of an extraneous source of divalent metal ions.

Abstract: A composition for delivering a biologically active polyanionic molecule comprising a linear polymer with a backbone comprising amido and tertiary amino groups arranged regularly on the backbone and biologically active polyanionic molecule bound to the polymer. Preferably, the linear polymer comprises a poly(amidoamine). Preferably, the biologically active polyanionic molecule is a nucleic acid, more preferably a DNA. The compositions are useful for delivering nucleic acids to a cell in a cell transformation, transfection or gene therapy method.

Abstract: Lamellar particles are provided comprising a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer and carrying a cationic charge on their surface. These particles are prepared by mixing a preformed negatively charged lamellar particle with a positively charged material. Compositions using these particles may include genetic material or antigens, for example, and may be used as a drug delivery system, such as a sustained release system.

Abstract: A variety of different types of nasal vaccine systems have been described including cholera toxin, microspheres, nanoparticles, liposomes, attenuated virus, and outer membrane proteins (proteosomes). The present invention is directed toward a novel nasal vaccine composition that utilizes the cationic polysaccharide, chitosan, as a delivery system. Chitosan is a polysaccharide comprising copolymers of glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine. The term chitosan encompasses a series of chitosan polymers with different molecular weights (50 kDa-2,000 kDa) and degree of acetylation (40%-98%). Several vaccine animal studies were carried out employing influenza or pertussis antigens in combination with chitosan. Nasal administration of chitosan-antigen nasal vaccines induced significant serum IgG responses and secretory IgA levels. Animals vaccinated via the nasal route with various chitosan-antigen vaccines were also found to be protected against the appropriate challenge.

Abstract: The methane sulphonate salt of morphine and compositions thereof have medicinal uses, particularly in the treatment of pain. Compositions comprising a methane sulphonate salt of an opioid analgesic also have medicinal uses, adapted for nasal delivery.

Abstract: There is provided a composition for the nasal delivery of a cannabinoid which comprises a cannabinoid in a biphasic delivery system or a cannabinoid in a microsphere delivery system.

Abstract: There is provided a composition for the nasal delivery of a drug suitable for the treatment of erectile dysfunction to a mammal wherein the composition is adapted to provide an initial rise in plasma level followed by a sustained plasma level of the drug.

Abstract: A composition for intranasal administration comprising a full or partial D1-agonist of the dopamine receptor.

Abstract: A colonic drug delivery composition is provided and comprises a starch capsule containing a drug, the starch capsule being provided with a coating such that the drug will only be released from the capsule in the colon. The coating may be a pH sensitive material, a redox sensitive material, or a material broken down by specific enzymes or bacteria present in the colon. The drug to be delivered may be one for local action in the colon or a systemically active drug to be absorbed from the colon.

Abstract: There is provided a drug delivery composition for the controlled release of an active agent in the stomach environment over a prolonged period of time, which comprises a microsphere comprising an active ingredient in the inner core of the microsphere and (i) a rate controlling layer of a water insoluble polymer and (ii) an outer layer of a bioadhesive agent in the form of a cationic polymer.

Abstract: The invention provides a drug delivery composition for colonic delivery comprising a polar drug, an absorption promoter which (a) comprises a mixture of a fatty acid having 6 to 16 carbon atoms or a salt thereof and a dispersing agent, or (b) comprises a mixture of mono/diglycerides of medium chain fatty acids and a dispersing agent, and means adapted to release the polar drug and absorption promoter in the colon following oral administration. A preferred fatty acid is capric acid or a salt thereof. Colon specific delivery can be achieved by providing the composition in a capsule, tablet or pellet which is coated with a material which dissolves in the small intestine or is degraded by the conditions in the colon.