Abstract: Methods for preparing products containing moisture-sensitive materials, including biological materials such as proteins, peptides or live cells, comprising at least the steps: (i) providing a coating liquid comprising at least one active, a sugar polymer and a water soluble/miscible solvent; (ii) providing a quantity of microparticles comprising at least water soluble gel forming solid particles; (iii) fluidizing said quantity of microparticles within a processing chamber of a of a suitable apparatus to form a fluidized bed of said microparticles; (iv) spraying said coating liquid onto said fluidized bed from beneath the fluidized bed to coat said microparticles therewith under saturated moisture conditions; and (vi) allowing coated microparticles to dry, are described. Also described are compositions and uses.

Abstract: Methods for preparing products containing moisture-sensitive materials, including biological materials such as proteins, peptides or live cells, comprising at least the steps: (i) providing a coating liquid comprising at least one active, a sugar polymer and a water soluble/miscible solvent; (ii) providing a quantity of microparticles comprising at least water soluble gel forming solid particles; (iii) fluidizing said quantity of microparticles within a processing chamber of a of a suitable apparatus to form a fluidized bed of said microparticles; (iv) spraying said coating liquid onto said fluidized bed from beneath the fluidized bed to coat said microparticles therewith under saturated moisture conditions; and (vi) allowing coated microparticles to dry, are described. Also described are compositions and uses.

Abstract: Compositions comprising (i) granules comprising a biologically active material in association with a weak base and partially coated with a delayed release material soluble in intestinal juice, (ii) an acidifying agent having a pH between 1.5 to 6, and (iii) a gel forming agent are described. There is also described a composition comprising an acidic gel having a pH between 1.5 to 6 and containing microgranules comprising a biologically active material in association with a weak base and partially coated with a delayed release material soluble in intestinal juice. The compositions may be used in the treatment of diseases associated with intestinal pathogens in animals. Where the biologically active material is a protease, receptor/adhesion sites in the intestines for pathogens may be proteolysed so as to prevent pathogen binding to intestinal surfaces.