Abstract: A method of producing a dried formulation for an active substance such as a drug compound is described. The method involves dispersing a discontinuous phase (e.g. an oil-based or lipidic medium) comprising the active substance into a continuous phase (e.g. water) so as to form a two-phase liquid system comprising droplets of said discontinuous phase, allowing nanoparticles to congregate at the phase interface at the surface of the droplets such that at least one layer of nanoparticles coat the droplets and thereby provide sufficient structural integrity to the droplets to enable the subsequent removal of the continuous phase, and thereafter removing the continuous phase from the nanoparticle-coated droplets to produce a dried formulation.

Abstract: A formulation for the delivery of an anti-inflammatory agent to a subject is described. In one particular application of the invention, the formulation comprises oil-based or aqueous droplets comprising indomethacin (1-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-5-methoxy-2-methyl-1-H-indole-3-acetic acid) or celecoxib (4-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl) pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide) stabilized by nanoparticles, particularly silica nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method of producing a dried formulation for an active substance such as a drug compound is described. The method involves dispersing a discontinuous phase (e.g. an oil-based or lipidic medium) comprising the active substance into a continuous phase (e.g. water) so as to form a two-phase liquid system comprising droplets of said discontinuous phase, allowing nanoparticles to congregate at the phase interface at the surface of the droplets such that at least one layer of nanoparticles coat the droplets and thereby provide sufficient structural integrity to the droplets to enable the subsequent removal of the continuous phase, and thereafter removing the continuous phase from the nanoparticle-coated droplets to produce a dried formulation.

Abstract: Methods of producing a controlled release formulation for an active substance are disclosed, wherein the methods involve dispersing a discontinuous phase comprising an active substance into a continuous phase so as to form a two-phase liquid system comprising droplets of said discontinuous phase, and allowing nanoparticles provided to the two-phase liquid system to congregate at the phase interface to thereby coat the surface of the droplets in at least one layer of said nanoparticles. The methods utilise a concentration of a suitable electrolyte which enhances the nanoparticle congregation such that the coating of nanoparticles on the surface of the droplets presents a semi-permeable barrier to the active substance, or otherwise utilise a amount of the active substance that is greater than the solubility limit of that active substance in the discontinous phase. Formulations comprising vitamin A (retinol) as the active substance for dermal delivery are specifically exemplified.

Abstract: A method of producing a dried formulation for an active substance such as a drug compound is described. The method involves dispersing a discontinuous phase (e.g. an oil-based or lipidic medium) comprising the active substance into a continuous phase (e.g. water) so as to form a two-phase liquid system comprising droplets of said discontinuous phase, allowing nanoparticles to congregate at the phase interface at the surface of the droplets such that at least one layer of nanoparticles coat the droplets and thereby provide sufficient structural integrity to the droplets to enable the subsequent removal of the continuous phase, and thereafter removing the continuous phase from the nanoparticle-coated droplets to produce a dried formulation.

Abstract: A method and formulation for the delivery of an active substance to the skin (epidermis, including the stratum corneum and viable epidermis, and dermis) of a subject. The formulation comprises oil-based or aqueous droplets comprising the active substance within a coating of nanoparticles, particularly silica nanoparticles. The active substance may be suitable for the treatment of a disease or condition which is localised, or at least partially localised, to the skin (eg skin cancer, psoriasis, eczema, infections including bacterial and fungal infections, acne, dermatitis, inflammation, and rheumatoid arthritis).

Abstract: A formulation for the delivery of an anti-inflammatory agent to a subject is described. In one particular application of the invention, the formulation comprises oil-based or aqueous droplets comprising indomethacin (1-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-5-methoxy-2-methyl-1-H-indole-3-acetic acid) or celecoxib (4-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl) pyrazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide) stabilised by nanoparticles, particularly silica nanoparticles.

Abstract: Methods of producing a controlled release formulation for an active substance are disclosed, wherein the methods involve dispersing a discontinuous phase comprising an active substance into a continuous phase so as to form a two-phase liquid system comprising droplets of said discontinuous phase, and allowing nanoparticles provided to the two-phase liquid system to congregate at the phase interface to thereby coat the surface of the droplets in at least one layer of said nanoparticles. The methods utilise a concentration of a suitable electrolyte which enhances the nanoparticle congregation such that the coating of nanoparticles on the surface of the droplets presents a semi-permeable barrier to the active substance, or otherwise utilise a amount of the active substance that is greater than the solubility limit of that active substance in the discontinous phase. Formulations comprising vitamin A (retinol) as the active substance for dermal delivery are specifically exemplified.

Abstract: A method of producing a dried formulation for an active substance such as a drug compound is described. The method involves dispersing a discontinuous phase (e.g. an oil-based or lipidic medium) comprising the active substance into a continuous phase (e.g. water) so as to form a two-phase liquid system comprising droplets of said discontinuous phase, allowing nanoparticles to congregate at the phase interface at the surface of the droplets such that at least one layer of nanoparticles coat the droplets and thereby provide sufficient structural integrity to the droplets to enable the subsequent removal of the continuous phase, and thereafter removing the continuous phase from the nanoparticle-coated droplets to produce a dried formulation.