Dive Brief:
- An academic lab at the University of Warwick and its associated company Medherant have developed a targeted ibuprofen patch that delivers high doses of the NSAID directly to the site of pain through the skin, as reported by Reuters. It can be used to release the drug over 6, 12, or 24 hours.
- The unique delivery system, called the TEPI patch, uses a polymer matrix as a "reservoir" for the ibuprofen, which then releases the drug over time.
- The patch enables the delivery of large doses of anti-inflammatory pain relief without the serious gastrointestinal side effects associated with high or chronic NSAID use.
Dive Insight:
If commercialized, the TEPI patch could hit on a trifecta of improvements: targeted relief, delivered via an adhesive-yet-comfortable patch, and higher dosing. Through development of this unique delivery system, Medherant could boost the potential of ibuprofen, an effective painkiller in many settings.
The TEPI patch is intended to treat a wide variety of conditions, such as chronic back pain, neuralgia and arthritis, as well as other chronic pain syndromes and acute pain. Although the team developed the patch with loaded ibuprofen, it is also has potential as delivery system for opioid painkillers.
The adhesive was developed by Bostik, a global company that specializes in adhesive technology.
Currently, the research team's main goal is to broaden the number of drugs that can be delivered via the TEPI patch, with a focus on drugs that have previously been unsuitable for topical or dermal delivery.