Encapsulation for improved manufacturing and controlled-delivery of therapeutic compounds

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In the development of an effective therapeutic product, the synthesis and purification of the drug are only part of the process.  It is also important to consider how the drug will be delivered.  Liposomes or lipid vesicles are an attractive delivery system for administering functional compounds.  Liposomal systems are known to increase drug retention time and to reduce toxic side effects after administration.  One area of great interest is the use of liposomes in drug delivery systems administered by inhalation for a targeted, sustained and non-invasive means of delivering drugs to the lungs.  The microencapsulation of liposome-entrapped compounds in biodegradable capsules offers a possible means of drug delivery to the lungs with increased stability and drug retention. This research has the potential for treating diseases such as tuberculosis and diabetes more effectively and without painful injections.  Such benefits will undoubtedly improve the health and quality of life of the many Canadians who suffer from such diseases.       The goal of this research is to develop a novel processing route incorporating emulsification and spray-drying to produce microencapsulated liposomal drug particles with improved stability and controlled-release properties for inhalation.  This will be achieved by first establishing formulation and processing parameters for liposome formation and the entrapment of active compounds.  Biodegradable particles would then be produced by emulsification and spray-drying of liposomal solutions.  Key factors for assessing suitable manufacturing techniques include: the integrity of the drugs and liposomes after processing, whether the particles have characteristics suitable for inhalation and the rate of particle degradation and drug release.