Grants and Contributions:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019).

This proposal aims to develop water-soluble polymer formulations that can be cast into thin polymer strips andx000D
can contain pharmaceutical and nutraceutical agents in oil-form. This material will be developed into an oralx000D
drug-delivery agent that can rapidly release the desired active ingredients within the oral cavity (sub-lingual orx000D
buccal). Such oral delivery is advantageous as it circumvents the digestive tract, allowing active ingredients tox000D
enter directly into the bloodstream through the oral mucosa. It is also an ideal delivery vehicle for patients thatx000D
are incapable of swallowing pills, such as children, the elderly, and those suffering from nausea (such asx000D
oncology patients). A number of drug formulations are available in oil form, but dosing and administration ofx000D
such drugs as liquids poses challenges, in that a medical professional must measure the appropriate dose andx000D
ensure that it is consistently given to the patient. Incorporation of precise quantities of therapeutic agentsx000D
within rapidly dissolving polymer strips allows easy self-administration by the patient, and provides a highlyx000D
effective and reliable means of drug delivery. However, dispersion of oil-based agents within a water-solublex000D
polymer matrix is challenging, and requires development of appropriate formulations to ensure that oils arex000D
uniformly dispersed and maintain stable droplet morphology during storage. The development of suchx000D
formulations is the goal of this project.