Abstract: An in vivo assay to evaluate topical delivery of a biologic agent from a formulation is provided. The assay comprises treating a skin area of a CD hairless rat with tape stripping to disrupt the stratum corneum in the skin area to define a treated skin area and topically applying a formulation to the treated skin area. The formulation, in one embodiment, comprises the biologic agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Delivery of the biologic agent into the skin from the topically applied formulation is evaluated via in vitro or in vivo techniques.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a cover member over a pre-selected liquid contained in either a swimming pool, hot tub or whirlpool outdoors during a predetermined time of year to protect the swimming pool, hot tub or whirlpool from damaging cold weather and debris. The apparatus includes at least one support member produced from a predetermined material and having a predetermined shape connected between the pre-selected liquid and a predetermined portion of a bottom surface of the cover member for supporting and elevating at least a portion of such cover member. A support member retainer is engageable with each of the support member and predetermined side wall portions of the swimming pool, hot tub or whirlpool to retain such support member in a substantially central location over the pre-selected liquid contained in such swimming pool, hot tub or whirlpool.