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TITLE
FILM NANO - ORAL COMPOSITIONS, METHODS AND USES THEREOF

HIGHLIGHTS
The present disclosure relates to an oral composition for the controlled release of caffeine
over time, products, method of obtaining and uses thereof.

CONTEXT
Transport of drugs across buccal mucosa occurs exclusively by passive diffusion, an
undifferentiated, unselective, transport mechanism. Lipophilic bioactive molecules may permeate
buccal mucosa by transcellular route whereas hydrophilic bioactive molecules are more prone to
permeate buccal epithelia by intercellular route. In order to guarantee that bioactive molecules
permeate buccal mucosa, certain requirements must be fulfilled. One interesting approach is the
use of films with adherence properties to the buccal epithelium. Oral films are oral delivery
systems that disintegrate in the mouth in less than 30 s.

BENEFITS
Besides from the inherent advantages shared with tablets or capsules (e.g. ease of administration
and portability) administration of oral films does not require water. Also, oral films are especially
useful for uncooperative patients since, once introduced into the mouth, and are very difficult to
remove. Moreover variables such as colour and taste are easily manipulated according to the
preferences of the consumer/patient. Oral films are convenient delivery systems when buccal
release is aimed. Buccal route is an attractive delivery route especially due to ease of
administration and possibility to avoid first-pass metabolism.

PROOF OF CONCEPT
A response surface method (experimental design approach) was performed to obtain optimal
formulations of alginate beads to be incorporated into guar gum oral films as combined buccal and
oral delivery systems for hydrophilic caffeine delivery. The combined formulation was further
characterized regarding physicochemical properties, drug release, cell viability and buccal
permeability.

POTENCIAL COMMERCIAL USE /APPLICATIONS

Incorporation of beads into oral films results in a conceptually new oral/buccal delivery system for
bioactive molecules that can be used in pharmaceutical industry.

INVENTORS AND RESEARCH UNIT

Manuela Pintado1, Pedro João Castro1, Ana Raquel Madureira1, Bruno Cardoso Sarmento2,3,4
1
Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia - Universidade
Católica Portuguesa; 2CESPU, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e
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Tecnologias da Saúde; 3i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto;

4
INEB – Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, University of Porto.

COOPERATION OPTIONS
Sell the patent application

Licensing the exploitation rights

PATENT STATUS
Patent Pending: FT P/1079

CONTACTS (ESB) E-MAIL PHONE

Pedro João Castro pjcastro@porto.ucp.pt +351 22 55 800 01

Manuela Pintado mpintado@porto.ucp.pt +351 22 55 800 00