Abstract: This invention relates to thermoresponsive hydrogels. Particularly, the invention relates to a thermoresponsive hydrogel comprising copolymer polyethylene glycol (PEG)-polycaprolactone (PCL)-polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polypropylene fumerate (PPF). The thermoresponsive hydrogel may further comprise a poloxamer, particularly Pluronic F-127. The invention extends to a method of manufacturing thermoresponsive hydrogels, also extends to an ink for a three dimensional (3D) printer including the thermoresponsive hydrogels. The invention further extends to a thermoresponsive hydrogel for use in the treatment of a bone injury and/or a bone defect, and/or to a method of treating a bone injury and/or a bone defect. The thermoresponsive hydrogels may include dispersed therein an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), preferably an API falling in the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) class II, further preferably a statin type drug, most preferably simvastatin.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oral polymeric pharmaceutical dosage form which comprises a thermoresponsive eutectic composition which is solid at or about room temperature and fluid at or about body temperature, the eutectic composition mixed together with a crosslinking agent and an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) to form an API loaded region; and a porous polymeric composition at least partially surrounding the API loaded region to protect the API when the dosage form is in a stomach of the human or animal body, the porous polymeric composition allowing the ingress of water to contact the crosslinking agent thereby facilitating the crosslinking agent to cause crosslinking of the porous polymeric composition, which crosslinked porous polymeric composition allows controlled egress of API via egress of fluid thermoresponsive eutectic composition at the intestine. In a preferred embodiment, the dosage form further comprises a coating there around.

Abstract: This invention relates to thermoresponsive hydrogels. Particularly, the invention relates to a thermoresponsive hydrogel comprising copolymer polyethylene glycol (PEG)-polycaprolactone (PCL)-polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polypropylene fumerate (PPF). The thermoresponsive hydrogel may further comprise a poloxamer, particularly Pluronic F-127. The invention extends to a method of manufacturing thermoresponsive hydrogels, also extends to an ink for a three dimensional (3D) printer including the thermoresponsive hydrogels. The invention further extends to a thermoresponsive hydrogel for use in the treatment of a bone injury and/or a bone defect, and/or to a method of treating a bone injury and/or a bone defect. The thermoresponsive hydrogels may include dispersed therein an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), preferably an API falling in the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) class II, further preferably a statin type drug, most preferably simvastatin.

Abstract: This invention relates to biodegradable implants comprising a hydrogel carrier matrix having dispersed therein a multitude of particles, wherein each of the multitude of particles and/or the hydrogel carrier matrix includes an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) for the treatment of transected peripheral nerve injuries. Each of the multitude of particles and/or the hydrogel carrier matrix includes pristine polymer particles, preferably the pristine polymer particles may be polymethylmethacrylate polymers and derivatives thereof, preferably poly(methacrylic-co-methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The spheroidal particles may each be formed from an outer shell including a chitosan (CHT) poly(methacrylic-co-methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polyelectrolyte complex (CHT-PMMA-PEC) and an inner core including crosslinked chitosan having dispersed therein PMMA nanoparticles.

Abstract: This invention relates to biodegradable implants comprising a hydrogel carrier matrix having dispersed therein a multitude of particles, wherein each of the multitude of particles and/or the hydrogel carrier matrix includes an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) for the treatment of transected peripheral nerve injuries. Each of the multitude of particles and/or the hydrogel carrier matrix includes pristine polymer particles, preferably the pristine polymer particles may be polymethylmethacrylate polymers and derivatives thereof, preferably poly(methacrylic-co-methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The spheroidal particles may each be formed from an outer shell including a chitosan (CHT) poly(methacrylic-co-methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polyelectrolyte complex (CHT-PMMA-PEC) and an inner core including crosslinked chitosan having dispersed therein PMMA nanoparticles.

Abstract: This invention relates to a wound dressing, particularly to a stimuli responsive wound dressing comprising a lyophilized hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel, and a plurality of devices embedded within said lyophilized hyaluronic acid hydrogel. Each of the plurality of devices including chitosan and hypromellose and may be formed as biofilms and/or electrospun fiber mats.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oral polymeric pharmaceutical dosage form which comprises a thermoresponsive eutectic composition which is solid at or about room temperature and fluid at or about body temperature, the eutectic composition mixed together with a crosslinking agent and an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) to form an API loaded region; and a porous polymeric composition at least partially surrounding the API loaded region to protect the API when the dosage form is in a stomach of the human or animal body, the porous polymeric composition allowing the ingress of water to contact the crosslinking agent thereby facilitating the crosslinking agent to cause crosslinking of the porous polymeric composition, which crosslinked porous polymeric composition allows controlled egress of API via egress of fluid thermoresponsive eutectic composition at the intestine. In a preferred embodiment, the dosage form further comprises a coating there around.

Abstract: A pH responsive and mucoadhesive pharmaceutical dosage form for the release of a pharmaceutically active agent is described. The dosage form includes a mucoadhesive layer for site-specific mucoadhesion, a water-insoluble outer layer, and an intermediate layer including one or more pharmaceutically active agents for site-specific delivery. The different membranous layers perform different functions in order to create a drug delivery system which is able to deliver a drug to a specific site, for a particular period of time and with a specific drug release pattern. The dosage form can have two or more intermediate layers, each layer comprising an active agent. The mucoadhesive layer can also include an active agents. The dosage form is preferably an oral or buccal delivery form for release of the active agent into the gastro intestinal tract. The intermediate layer can be an electrospun fibrous membrane layer containing the active agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to a wound dressing, particularly to a stimuli responsive wound dressing comprising a lyophilized hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel, and a plurality of devices embedded within said lyophilized hyaluronic acid hydrogel. Each of the plurality of devices including chitosan and hypromellose and may be formed as biofilms and/or electrospun fiber mats.

Abstract: A polymeric hydrogel pharmaceutical dosage form for drug delivery to a target site of a human or animal. The dosage form includes polyethylene-imine (PEI) and 1-vinylimidazole (1VA), the dosage form being electro-responsive in use. Also, methods of manufacturing the dosage form and methods of treating chronic pain utilizing the dosage form.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for intraperitoneal delivery of an anti-neoplastic agent is provided for treating cancers associated with aberrant mucin expression, preferably ovarian cancer and pancreatic, prostate, metastatic breast, bladder and lung cancers. The composition comprises nanomicelles loaded with the anti-neoplastic agent, and antibodies such as anti-MUC16, anti-MUC1 or anti-MUC4 are conjugated to these nanomicelles. The antibody-bound nanomicelles are optionally embedded in a biodegradable pH- and thermo-responsive hydrogel capable of sol-gel transition at body temperature. The pharmaceutical composition is implantable in the peritoneum, where it transforms into a semi-solid gel at the body's core temperature. In response to pH, the hydrogel swells and releases the antibody-bound nanomicelles. The nanomicelles specifically target mucin antigens on cancer cells.

Abstract: A polymeric hydrogel composition is described for the delivery of a pharmaceutically active agent when an electrical stimulus is applied to the composition. The composition comprises a polymer which forms the hydrogel, such as poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) cross-linked with diethyl acetamidomalonate (DAA), an electroactive polymer such as polyaniline and a pharmaceutically active agent such as an analgesic, and in particular, indomethacin. The composition can be subcutaneously implanted at a targeted site and under normal conditions, the active agent will be entrapped in the hydrogel itself. However, upon the application of an electric current to the hydrogel, the active agent will be released. When the electric current is removed, the change is reversed and the active agent will cease to be released. In one embodiment of the invention, the hydrogel composition is for use in alleviating chronic pain.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pharmaceutical dosage form, particularly to a topical ocular pharmaceutical dosage form comprising a polymeric matrix of polyethylene oxide block copolymer, preferably polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer and hydroxpropyl cellulose, and a pharmaceutically active ingredient incorporated within the matrix. The invention extends to a method of manufacturing the pharmaceutical dosage form.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drug delivery system, particularly to a liposomal drug delivery system. Most particularly the invention relates to a liposomal drug delivery system for the release of at least one drug compound at a target site within a human or animal body. The invention extends to a method of manufacturing the drug delivery system.

Abstract: The invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for oral administration of a pharmaceutically active agent to a subject, including the pharmaceutically active agent and an inhibitor of CYP3A4. Administration of the inhibitor and the pharmaceutically active agent reduces pre-systemic degradation of the pharmaceutically active agent by CYP3A4. The inhibitor can be poly(ethylene glycol), methoxy poly(ethylene glycol), aminated poly(ethylene glycol), O-(2-aminoethyl)-O-methoxy poly(ethylene glycol), polyoxyethylene glycol, branched poly(ethylene glycol), 3-arm poly(ethylene glycol), 4-arm poly(ethylene glycol), 8-arm-poly(ethylene glycol)polyamine, poly(L-lysine), poly(L-arginine), poly(L-alanine), poly(L-valine), poly(L-serine), poly(L-histidine), poly(L-isoleucine), poly(L-leucine), poly(L-glutamic acid), poly(L-glutamine), poly(L-guanidine), poly(methyl methacrylate), polyvinyl acetate, polyacrylate, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and derivatives thereof. A method of treatment is also described.

Abstract: The invention provides an inflammation-responsive implantable device for the in situ delivery of one or more pharmaceutically active agents to a human or animal. The device comprises two differential release bioresponsive polymeric matrices (BPMs): an outer polymetric matrix and an inner polymeric matrix, both of which contain at least one pharmaceutically active agent or drug, typically an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory agent, respectively. The therapeutically effective agent may be embedded in nanoparticles or nanobubbles. In response to inflammation, the pharmaceutically active agents are released, but at different rates: the rate of drug release from the inner polymeric matrix is lower than the rate of drug release from the outer polymeric matrix. Suitable polymers for forming the outer and inner polymeric matrices are hyaluronic acid and chitosan, respectively. A method of making the device and a method of treatment are also described.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition or dosage form is described for the delivery of at least one pharmaceutically active agent or drug in a sustained and controlled manner. The pharmaceutical composition is an injectable formulation which is capable of responding to local stimuli at the site of injection, such as pH and temperature, and comprises a thermoresponsive polymer composition with a suspension of pH responsive micro- or nano-particles which contain the at least one pharmaceutically active agent or drug. The thermoresponsive polymer composition is formed from poly(methyl vinyl ether) (PMVE), and an inorganic salt, and the micro- or nano-particles are formed from chitosan and eudragit. The composition can be used to treat any disease or condition which results in a decrease in pH, such as for treating a solid tumour, gout, acidosis, ketosis and the like.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for intraperitoneal delivery of an anti-neoplastic agent is provided for treating cancers associated with aberrant mucin expression, preferably ovarian cancer and pancreatic, prostate, metastatic breast, bladder and lung cancers. The composition comprises nanomicelles loaded with the anti-neoplastic agent, and antibodies such as anti-MUC16, anti-MUC1 or anti-MUC4 are conjugated to these nanomicelles. The antibody-bound nanomicelles are optionally embedded in a biodegradable pH- and thermo-responsive hydrogel capable of sol-gel transition at body temperature. The pharmaceutical composition is implantable in the peritoneum, where it transforms into a semi-solid gel at the body's core temperature. In response to pH, the hydrogel swells and releases the antibody-bound nanomicelles. The nanomicelles specifically target mucin antigens on cancer cells.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical dosage form for the release of at least one pharmaceutically active ingredient is claimed. The pharmaceutical dosage form includes a polymer matrix, polymer-lipid nanoparticles incorporated within the matrix and the pharmaceutically active ingredient(s). The polymer matrix is formed from at least two crosslinked cationic and anionic polymers, such as Eudragit® E100 and sodium carboxymethlycellulose. It can also include a neutral polymer, such as one derived from locust bean. The polymer-lipid nanoparticles are formed from at least one polymer, such as Eudragit® E100 and/or chitosan, and at least one phospholipid, such as lecithin. The polymer(s) and phospholipid are crosslinking with a chelating agent, such as sodium tripolyphosphate. The active ingredient or ingredients can be any pharmaceutically active compound(s), and in particular poorly absorbed compounds such as levodopa for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: The invention provides an implantable intracranial device for the site-specific delivery of a pharmaceutically active agent to a human or animal for treating a mental or neurological disorder, such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia or other psychoses. The biodegradable device includes a pharmaceutically active agent for treating the disorder, polymeric nano-lipoparticles into or onto which the pharmaceutically active agent is embedded; and a polymeric matrix or scaffold incorporating the nano-lipoparticles. The nano-lipoparticles can be in the form of nano-liposhells or nano-lipobubbles. The nano-liposhells or nano-lipobubbles can include an essential fatty acid or can be conjugated to a peptide ligand which targets the device to a specific cell into which the therapeutic agent can be delivered. The device can be implanted in the sub-arachnoid space in the region of the frontal lobe of the brain.