Capsugel Acquires Ionic Liquids Technology


Morristown, N.J., and Melbourne, Australia – Capsugel and Monash University recently announced that Capsugel has acquired the intellectual property pertaining to proprietary Ionic Liquids Technology developed at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS), Monash University. This novel technology uses lipid-like counter-ion salts to improve the solubility of drugs in lipid-based liquid, semi-solid, and multiparticulate formulations. This technology adds to Capsugel Dosage Form Solutions’ growing suite of bioavailability enhancement technologies and capabilities.

Under the terms of the agreement, Monash University will transfer its patent application and associated results and know-how to Capsugel, effective immediately. Capsugel will also extend its existing partnership with MIPS by funding additional research positions to accelerate ongoing and future drug-delivery projects.

MIPS and Capsugel have a long history of collaboration in lipid-based drug delivery science including co-founding the Lipid Formulation Classification System (LFCS) Consortium to advance and standardize evaluation protocols for lipid-based drug-delivery systems.

“Our partnership with MIPS demonstrates Capsugel’s commitment to advancing high-caliber science for improved drug delivery and better healthcare solutions,” said Keith Hutchison, PhD, Senior Vice President, Research & Development, Capsugel. “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.”

The Ionic Liquids Technology developed at MIPS can enhance lipid-based formulation performance through overall solubility improvement across a range of drugs and lipophilicity profiles. Capsugel Dosage Form Solutions’ array of bioavailability-enhancing technologies – which includes spray-dried dispersions, hot-melt extrusion and nanotechnology, in addition to lipid and liquid-based formulations – provides a premier set of options and flexibility in meeting client target product profiles and commercial objectives.

“This technology license and research collaboration agreement is a further and substantial step in our decade-long partnership with Capsugel,” said Prof. WiIliam Charman, Director of the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences. “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.”

Details of the terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Monash University is Australia’s largest University and is ranked in the Top 100 World Universities according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. The Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Science (MIPS) is Australia’s largest pharmaceutical sciences research program in translational drug discovery, drug delivery and drug development. Pharmacy and Pharmacology at Monash is ranked number one in the Asia-Pacific and top 10 worldwide (2014 QS World University Rankings). For additional information, visit www.monash.edu/pharm.

Capsugel is a global leader in delivering high-quality, innovative dosage forms and solutions to its customers in the health care industry. The company’s Hard Capsule business offers customers the broadest portfolio of gelatin, vegetarian, and other specialized capsule technologies. Capsugel’s Dosage Form Solutions (DFS) business utilizes an array of proprietary technologies and specialized manufacturing capabilities to solve customers’ most pressing product development challenges, including bioavailability enhancement, modified release, abuse deterrence, biotherapeutic processing, and inhalation formulation. The company’s fast-to-clinic program streamlines product development from pre-formulation through clinical and commercial supply for finished dosage forms. Headquartered in Morristown, NJ, Capsugel serves more than 4,000 customers in more than 100 countries. For additional information, visit www.capsugel.com.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Capsugel

Frank Briamonte
frank.briamonte@capsugel.com

Christina Chnaider
christina.chnaider@capsugel.com

Monash University

Rachael Fergusson

rachael.fergusson@monash.edu