New MIPS drug technology acquired by Capsugel
Capsugel, a global leader in innovative dose-form development, has acquired a novel drug delivery technology developed by researchers at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS).
Monash University and Capsugel announced earlier this month that the company has acquired the intellectual property pertaining to proprietary Ionic Liquid Technology developed by MIPS researchers led by professors Chris Porter and Peter Scammells.
The 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 will immediately transfer its patent application, along with associated results and know-how, to Capsugel. Capsugel will 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 collaborating with MIPS-based researchers in lipid-based drug delivery science. This includes co-founding the Lipid Formulation Classification System Consortium to advance and standardise evaluation protocols for lipid-based drug-delivery systems.
Professor Bill Charman, Director of MIPS, 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 of Research and Development at 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.”
Details of the terms of the agreement were not disclosed.