Delivery Systems
Apart from delivering the substance itself, a drug delivery system has a key role in patients’ therapy. We have invested a large amount of capital in the drug delivery technologies area mainly in developing patches. These self-adhesive systems are attached on the body and function in three ways:
- Drug delivery, through the skin, into the systematic circulation
- Local drug delivery, aiming at the treatment of skin diseases
- Delivery of volatile substances to the environment
Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems (TDDS)
TDDSs are among the most popular drug delivery systems. TDDSs are patches placed on specific areas of the body and enable certain drugs to penetrate through the skin layers, into the blood stream or the desired site of human organism.
Compared to other dosage forms, this controlled delivery provides many advantages, such as:
- Improved patient convenience and compliance
- Avoidance of hepatic metabolism, known as “first-pass-effect” by the liver
- Improved safety.
The therapeutic categories that benefit, today, by these Transdermal technologies relate to pain management, hypertension, angina pectoris, Parkinson disease, asthma, female or male hormone replacement therapy, contraception, nausea, incontinence etc.
Patch Systems with local action
These systems have similar manufacturing technology with the Transdermal systems but, in their majority, they have been designed for the delivery of the active ingredient on the skin, for local action, aiming at the treatment of skin problems. An example is the patch for the treatment of skin problems related to acne, which was launched in Greece as well as in more than 40 countries, internationally.
Other forms of Patches
At the same time, there are more patch systems related not only to human organism, but also, to the release of volatile ingredients to the environment, aiming at e.g. the improvement of body smell. These systems may also be used for therapeutic (i.e. aromatherapy) and insect repellency purposes.
Epidermal Systems
The epidermal systems technology is known as thin film technology. This technology developed by our inhouse Research & Development unit creates thin films containing active ingredients, that with the aid of a certain solvent (water or serum, depending on the case) and with a simultaneous spread, form a gel delivering the active substances on the skin, safely and successfully. Our epidermal systems technologies are Solid Gel and Liquid Patch.
A significant advantage of the Solid Gel and Liquid Patch technologies is that they ensure, in the easiest and friendliest way, the delivery of active ingredients to the human skin. Their use does not prevent skin breathing, does not cause any side-effects or adverse reactions on the skin, on the contrary, they protect it from exogenous factors. Also, they can be applied in Cosmetology (both for maintenance and intensive skin care), as well as in Pharmaceuticals.
Intra Oral Delivery Systems
In our Reseach & Development, a pioneer technology is developed for the delivery of active substances through the mouth in thin films. This technology is known as Ιntra Oral Delivery Systems (IODS). The competitive advantage of those product, based on IODS technology, is the precise dosage and controlled release of the drug. Thus, patients who have swallowing difficulties, such as children, elderly, mentally ill, epileptics, cancer patients, people suffering from stomach disorders, infections in the mouth or throat, AIDS-HIV, can safely take the correct dose of their medication.
Osmotic Therapeutic Systems
The Osmotic Therapeutic System is an oral delivery system as well. It consists of a central core containing the drug, coated with a semi-permeable membrane. The membrane’s composition is such that controls drug release. Osmotic systems can be developed for many pharmaceutical therapies. With this drug delivery form, the direct contact of high drug concentration with the sensitive gastro-intestinal tract is avoided.