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Lipid-Free, Stabilized Emulsions for Delivering Anesthesia and Other Hydrophobic Drugs

Technology Benefits

Lipid-free and very stable Solves the problem of bacterial/fungal contamination Highly versatile Supports controlled drug release Nanoemulsions are intrinsically more stable and absorbable in vivo.

Technology Application

Nanoemulsions for formulating, delivering and releasing hydrophobic drugs including propofol

Detailed Technology Description

Emulsions containing soybean oil have been used intravenously for more than 40 years. Recently they have been employed in the delivery of certain hydrophobic drugs such as anti-inflammatory agents and anesthetics like propofol (i.e., Diprivan). Propofol is used extensively to induce and maintain general anesthesia as well as for sedation purposes. However, the oil used in the emulsion is highly susceptible to bacterial and fungal growth. To combat contamination, tubing and open vials of propofol must be replaced every 12 hours. The current formulation also may cause pain, lipid intolerance and other serious complications in some patients.UW–Madison researchers have developed non-lipid nanoemulsions for delivering propofol and other hydrophobic compounds. The formulations contain miniscule droplets of semifluorinated block copolymers and perhalogenated fluorous compounds, such as perfluorooctyl bromide or perfluorodecalin. These ingredients are capable of forming a stable nanoemulsion without the need for conventional lipid components (e.g., soybean oil) that support bacterial and/or fungal growth. The emulsions have enhanced stability with respect to droplet size due to decreased particle coarsening, coagulation and/or phase separation.

Others

WARF reference number P07074US describes emulsions for the intravenous delivery of fluorinated volatile anesthetics.

http://www.warf.org/technologies/summary/P07074US.cmsx

*Abstract

The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is seeking commercial partners interested in developing a method for formulating non-lipid nanoemulsions that are especially stable and less susceptible to bacterial/fungal contamination.

*Principal Investigator

Name: Sandro Mecozzi

Department:

Name: Robert Pearce

Department:

Name: William Tucker

Department:

Country/Region

USA