5 drug developments we like

EPM selects five noteworthy drugs and drug delivery developments from the past month

First 3D printed drug

Aprecia Pharmaceuticals’ Spritam levetiracetam is for oral use for the treatment of seizures in adults and children with epilepsy. Spritam is made on Aprecia’s proprietary ZipDose Technology platform that uses 3D printing to produce a porous formulation that rapidly disintegrates with a sip of liquid.

Electronic smart capsule

The device is made up of two sections – one carries the electronics and the other carries a drug which is released once the capsule has made its journey through the stomach and small intestine. The device also contains an electronic switch so that when it gets close to a magnetic marker outside the body the drug is released is triggered in the large intestine.

Cancer therapy

MEDI9197 uses toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists which are agents that activate innate immune cells and enhance the visibility of cancer tumours to the immune system. The FDA recently accepted an investigational new drug application for a phase I study to explore MEDI9197 as a treatment for patients with solid tumours.

Intestinal patch for oral insulin dosage

The patch is loaded with insulin and an intestinal permeation enhancer in enteric-coated capsules which can be taken orally. Once in the intestine, the patch-containing pills dissolve and release the patches so that they can attach to the intestinal wall for site-specific delivery of the insulin.

Tablet binder

BASF have introduced a new solution formulating peroxide sensitive active pharmaceutical ingredients. BASF’s new solution is part of its Kollicoat tablet binding range.