Besides standard formulation development, we provide services involving novel formulation approaches.
The liposome is one of the novel formulation approaches as a carrier of therapeutic molecules such as peptides. They are considered to be non-toxic, biodegradable and non-immunogenic, and have been used on several commercial pharmaceutical products. Liposomes serve as a reservoir for the drug, thus change the pharmacokinetics of the drug and significantly decrease its unwanted properties such as toxicity or serious side effects. Also the drug is prevented from early degradation or inactivation after introduced into the human body.
Creative Peptides is experienced in formulation development utilizing liposome-based on the properties of your APIs. This technology can be used on both hydrophilic and hydrophobic peptides.
Micelles can be used as a delivery system for peptide drugs. It has been shown that they can increase drug solubility, circulation time, reduce toxicity and enhance tissue penetration and specificity.
There are different types of micelles. Regular micelles (Figure A) are self-assemblies of amphiphilic copolymers in an aqueous medium. It can be used as formulation method for drugs that have poor solubility. Reverse micelles (Figure B) are self-assemblies of amphiphilic copolymers in a nonaqueous medium, and they can be used for the delivery of hydrophilic drugs.
Peptide drug-polymer conjugates are an advanced way to sustain drug release from Micelles. The micelles are formed from a conjugate of the drug with the hydrophobic part of an amphiphilic polymer.
Our team is specialized in developing micelles for peptide therapeutics.
An emulsion is a mixture of two or more liquids in which one is dispersed in the other as microscopic or ultramicroscopic droplets. Emulsion protects drug from degradation caused by acid and proteases in the GI tract, and it can enhance permeation of the drug through intestinal mucosa, which is beneficial for peptide-based APIs.
Chemical modification of peptide-based APIs can potentially improve their resistance against enzymatic degradation and/or membrane penetration. It can also be used to decrease immunogenicity.
Increasing the hydrophobicity of a drug by modification using hydrophobic group may increase its transcellular absorption, and it has been used on peptide-based drugs such as insulin.
Our team has the specialties to design chemical modifications based on the structure of your APIs in formulation development studies.
Liposomes are lipid-based carriers that encapsulate peptides or drugs, improving their stability, pharmacokinetics, and reducing toxicity. They are biocompatible and non-immunogenic, providing an efficient delivery method for both hydrophilic and hydrophobic peptides.
Micelles are self-assembled structures that improve the solubility and circulation time of drugs, especially those with poor water solubility. They enhance tissue penetration and can reduce the drug's toxicity while providing targeted delivery.
Regular micelles are used for hydrophobic drugs in aqueous solutions, while reverse micelles are designed for hydrophilic drugs in non-aqueous mediums, enabling better solubility and delivery of hydrophilic peptides.
Peptide drug-polymer conjugates use the hydrophobic part of amphiphilic polymers to form micelles that sustain drug release, offering controlled delivery and improved therapeutic effects for peptide drugs.
Emulsions protect drugs from degradation in the gastrointestinal tract and enhance their absorption through the intestinal mucosa, making them an effective delivery system for peptide-based APIs.
Chemical modifications can enhance peptide resistance to enzymatic degradation, increase membrane penetration, and reduce immunogenicity. Modifying peptides with hydrophobic groups can also improve their absorption across cellular membranes.
Peptide drugs face challenges such as low bioavailability and poor membrane permeability. Effective formulation development using technologies like liposomes, micelles, and chemical modifications helps overcome these issues, optimizing peptide drug delivery and efficacy.
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