University of Pittsburgh researchers have developed a sustained release vaginal film for the simultaneous protection against HIV and unintended pregnancy.
Description
Vaginal films have been shown to be an acceptable format for delivering pharmacologic actives. This novel platform can deliver both single and multiple active agents, accommodating actives with varied chemical properties. Therefore, these films have the potential to deliver a wide range of drugs, including anti-HIV agents and progestins and can do so for at least one month. This alternative drug delivery technology aims to improve patient adherence and compliance by reducing the frequency of administration.
Applications
• Sexually transmitted disease protection
• Contraception
Advantages
While vaginal films have been commercially used as immediate release dosage forms, this platform offers sustained drug delivery. Additionally, it allows for co-delivery of multiple active agents with different chemical properties and activities. This enables the combination of actives that may be incompatible with each other or require different release profiles.
Invention Readiness
The development of the intellectual property is currently at the stage of in vivo data generation.
IP Status
https://patents.google.com/patent/US11793765B2
https://patents.google.com/patent/US20230346693A1Related Publication(s)
Li, J., Regev, G., Patel, S. K., Patton, D., Sweeney, Y., Graebing, P., Grab, S., Wang, L., Sant, V., & Rohan, L. C. (2019). Rational Design of a Multipurpose Bioadhesive Vaginal Film for Co-Delivery of Dapivirine and Levonorgestrel. Pharmaceutics, 12(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics12010001
