Capsugel and Monash University announced today 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.