Abstract: A formulation and dosage form for enhancing the bioavailability of orally administered hydrophilic macromolecules includes a permeation enhancer, a hydrophilic macromolecule, and a carrier such as a nonionic surfactant that exhibits in-situ gelling properties. The formulation is delivered within the GI tract as a liquid having at least some affinity for the surface of the GI mucosal membrane. Once released, it is believed that the liquid formulation spreads across one or more areas of the surface of the GI mucosal membrane, where the carrier of the formulation then transitions into a bioadhesive gel in-situ. As a bioadhesive gel, the formulation presents the hydrophilic macromolecule and the permeation enhancer at the surface of the GI mucosal membrane at concentrations sufficient to increase absorption of the hydrophilic macromolecule through the GI mucosal membrane over a period of time.

Abstract: The present invention includes a formulation and controlled release dosage form that enable the controlled release of therapeutic agents showing reduced absorption in the lower gastrointestinal tract. The formulation of the present invention includes a therapeutic agent that exhibits greater absorption in the upper GI tract than in the lower GI tract and a permeation enhancer, which serves to increase absorption of the therapeutic agent in the lower GI tract. The formulation of the present invention further includes a carrier that allows the formulation to transition to a bioadhesive gel in-situ after the formulation is dispensed within the GI tract and has had some opportunity to reach the surface of the GI mucosal membrane. The bioadhesive gel formed by the formulation of the present invention works to present effective concentrations of both the therapeutic agent and the permeation enhancer at the surface of the GI mucosal membrane over a period.

Abstract: The present invention includes a formulation and dosage form for enhancing the bioavailability of orally administered hydrophilic macromolecules. The formulation of the present invention includes a permeation enhancer, a hydrophilic macromolecule, and a carrier that exhibits in-situ gelling properties, such as a nonionic surfactant. The formulation of the present invention is delivered within the GI tract as a liquid having at least some affinity for the surface of the GI mucosal membrane. Once released, it is believed that the liquid formulation spreads across one or more areas of the surface of the GI mucosal membrane, where the carrier of the formulation then transitions into a bioadhesive gel in-situ.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pharmaceutical formulation of a therapeutic polypeptide together with a permeation-enhancing mixture of sodium salicylate and an oil to provide enhanced absorption of the polypeptide through the wall of the gastrointestinal tract, and particularly of the colon, after oral administration, the amount of oil being from about 10 wt % to about 30 wt %, preferably from about 15 wt % to about 25 wt %, of the total formulation and the amount of sodium salicylate being from about 70 wt % to about 90 wt %, preferably from about 75 wt % to about 85 wt %, of the total formulation. The polypeptide may be non-lyophilized. The pharmaceutical formulation is characterized as a solid, which provides a convenient and improved format for handling and storage and for the preparation of oral dosage forms (such as pills, capsules and delivery vessels) containing a homogeneous mixture of ingredients.