Bayer is giving the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office something to chew over.
It has filed a patent on a process to manufacture a chewable drug delivery dosage that doesn't require heat or pharmaceutical grade water to manufacture and is done without extrusion, explains in-Pharma Technologist.
The idea, according to the patent is for "A palatable, edible soft chewable medication vehicle for delivery of a pharmaceutically acceptable active ingredient, such as a drug, to an animal or human subject. The edible soft chews contain only food grade or better inactive ingredients, and preferably do not contain ingredients of animal origin. Processes for manufacturing the edible soft chews do not require the use of heat or the addition of water during mixing of active and inactive ingredients, provide stable concentrations of the active ingredient, and produce chews of consistent weight and texture."
As the patent application points out, heat can degrade APIs and pharmaceutical grade water can be expensive and susceptible to contamination. While the application says it could be used for human consumption, the applications talks about how animals are resistant to many oral medications and how they need to be laced with flavorings, which are susceptible to contamination. The patent application does explain that, "Flavorings particularly appealing to cats include artificial soy based compounds with a fish-like flavor. Human recipients may prefer sweeter flavorings, such as sugars or molasses."
It says the "invention" would be mixed at room temperature in a horizontal mixer and not need to be cooled, so it can be made more quickly. It can also be shaped into any form. That might make it easier to give to children as well as animals.
Bayer makes drugs for animals and has been rumored to be interested in beefing that up with the purchase of Pfizer's ($PFE) animal health business. But it also makes lots of drugs that humans take, some that are chewed.
- read the in-Pharma Technologist story
- read the patent application