A novel drug delivery technology,
developed by researchers at MIPS,
has been acquired by Capsugel,
a global leader in innovative dose-form
development.
Monash and Capsugel announced in January
that Capsugel had acquired the intellectual
property pertaining to proprietary ionic liquid
technology developed by researchers at MIPS led
by Professors Chris Porter and Peter Scammells.
The novel technology uses lipid-like counter-ions
to transform crystalline drugs into ionic liquids.
This leads to significant increases in drug
solubility in lipid-based liquid, semi-solid and
multiparticulate formulations.
Under the terms of the agreement, Monash
transferred its patent application and associated
results and know-how to Capsugel, and Capsugel
extended its existing research collaborations
with Professors Pouton, Scammells and Porter
at MIPS by funding additional research positions
to accelerate the ionic liquid technology and
future drug-delivery projects.
Professor Chris Porter said the technology
was the result of a collaborative effort involving
a number of MIPS labs and was excited to see
the technology being implemented by industry.
“The ionic liquids technology will allow Capsugel
to significantly increase drug solubility, reduce
absorption variability, decrease excipient levels
and reduce pill burden,” he said.
Capsugel has a long history of collaboration
with MIPS-based researchers in lipid-based drug
delivery science. This includes co-founding the
Lipid Formulation Classification System (LFCS)
Consortium to advance and standardise evaluation
protocols for lipid-based drug-delivery systems.
Professor Bill Charman, Director of MIPS, said
the technology licence and research collaboration
agreement was a further and substantial step
in a decade-long partnership with Capsugel.
“We are thrilled to partner with Capsugel to
advance the development of the i