Monash University. Australia: A novel drug delivery technology, developed by researchers at the
Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS), has been acquired by
Capsugel, a global leader in innovative dose-form development.
Monash University and Capsugel announced today that Capsugel has
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, the University will transfer its
patent application and associated results and know-how to Capsugel,
effective immediately. Capsugel will also extend its existing research
collaborations with Professors Colin Pouton, Scammells and Porter at
MIPS by funding additional research positions to accelerate the Ionic
Liquid technology and future drug-delivery projects.
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 the Monash Institute of
Pharmaceutical Sciences, said the technology license and research
collaboration agreement was a further and substantial step in MIPS’
decade-long partnership with Capsugel.
“We are thrilled to partner with Capsugel to advance the development
of the Ionic Liquids Technology and to accelerate our current and future
collaborative drug-delivery projects,” he said.
Keith Hutchison, PhD, Senior Vice President, Research &
Development, Capsugel said: “Our partnership with MIPS demonstrates
Capsugel’s commitment to advancing high-caliber science for improved
drug delivery and better healthcare solutions.”
“The Ionic Liquids Technology will allow us to significantly increase
drug solubility, reduce absorption variability, decrease excipient
levels and reduce pill burden. This represents a valuable addition to
our capabilities in designing and developing innovative immediate and
modified-release dosage forms. Our continuing work with Monash holds
great potential for additional drug-delivery innovations in the future.”