Researchers at Johns Hopkins University say they've developed mucous-penetrating nanoparticles that can get anti-herpes drugs into the vaginal walls and help prevent infection.

The scientists' method, described in Science Translational Medicine, is designed to get around the body's natural mucous defenses, which, while helpful in keeping out infection, also create a barrier to effective drug delivery. To get around the issue, the researchers created nanoparticles that mimic mucous-penetrating viruses, coating them in polyethylene glycol so that they can slip through mucous membranes and enter the skin to deposit herpes-fighting drugs, News Medical reports. The particles are contained in a gel, designed to be applied vaginally.

The researchers tested their discovery on mice, discovering that the nanoparticle formulation tripled the anti-herpes treatment's effectiveness, MyHealthNewsDaily reports. And to be sure, the scientists deliberately chose a weak herpes drug and exposed it to a particulary infectious strain of the virus, finding that the treatment's effectiveness in preventing infection went from 16% with a normal administration to 53% with the nanoparticles.

Next, of course, will be human trials, which head researcher Justin Hanes said could start within a year.

- here's the abstract
- read the News Medical story
- check out MyHealthNewsDaily's report

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The most powerful drug molecule imaginable is only useful as a treatment if it's bioavailable, and drugmakers are often thwarted by the problem of delivering poorly soluble treatments. With that in mind, Quotient Clinical and former Pfizer ($PFE) unit Capsugel are teaming up to develop lipid-based formulations of tough-to-absorb drugs.

Neither company disclosed the financial terms of the deal, but the plan is to use Capsugel's expertise in lipid-based delivery and manufacturing capacity to develop formulations, and then vet them with Quotient's real-time testing service, RapidFACT.

Quotient estimates that about 70% of pipeline drugs around the world face solubility issues, and if the duo can provide quick and effective lipid formulations, drug developers will take notice. Combining the two companies' services will allow the pair to offer fast-track development and clinical evaluation, ideally minimizing the time between development milestones, Quotient managing director Mark Egerton said in a statement.

Capsugel Senior Vice President Keith Hutchison told Outsourcing-Pharma that the partnership comes at just the right time. More and more developers are looking to lipid-based delivery, he said, and, while the platform still has a way to go, its increased visibility will help Quotient and Capsugel find clients.

- read the companies' release
- get more from Outsourcing-Pharma

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Scientists in India have discovered a new way to boost the effectiveness of cancer treatments: using the body's own cholesterol to aid nanoparticle delivery.

In findings published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers explain that they were able to deliver cancer-killing cisplatin to tumor cells using platinum molecules and naturally occurring cholesterol, and they got some positive results in tests on mice with ovarian and breast cancers.

While platinum-formulated cisplatin has already been demonstrated to be effective, cancer cells often develop a resistance to the drug. That's where the cholesterol comes in. The scientists reported that their pairing significantly boosted the effectiveness of the cisplatin treatment and cut back on drug resistance.

Cisplatin, like all chemotherapeutics, is effective against cancer, but highly toxic to healthy cells, and the scientists' formulation resulted in negligible kidney toxicity, allowing the researchers to deliver almost double the drug amount of traditional treatment, they told India Today.

After observing significant tumor reduction in mice and lab-based human cells, the scientists say they're ready for human trials of the method. 

- read the abstract
- check out the India Today article

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For years, physicians have used ultrasound technology to permeate skin cells and get drugs into the body subcutaneously. Now, thanks to the biotech firm Zetroz, patients may soon be able to turn to an ultrasound pill that can deliver protein-based therapies that currently require injections.

Zetroz is developing the uPill, a tiny ultrasound device that, when paired with an API, enters the body and works the same magic on cells in the gastrointestinal tract, boosting absorption rates for large-molecule drugs most commonly delivered through needles, New Scientist reports. Once the uPill has delivered its payload, it's designed to pass harmlessly through the digestive system.

The uPill is the world's smallest ultrasound device, Zetroz co-founder George Lewis told the magazine, and the tech can increase drug absorption rates by 10 times. The platform is currently undergoing animal trials, and while commercialization is likely years away, Lewis is optimistic that the tech can provide relief from daily injections for patients with ailments such as cancer and diabetes.

One potential barrier, however: Because each uPill is essentially a small medical device, the tech will likely run $20 to $30 a pop, according to New Scientist. The good news is the capsule is reusable once it has passed through the digestive system. The possibly vexing news for patients is that the capsule will have passed through the digestive system. 

- read the New Scientist report
- get more from ZeeNews

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Drug delivery firm West Pharmaceutical Services ($WST) has signed a technology agreement with biotech giant Amgen ($AMGN), partnering to develop new injectable formulations for Amgen's therapies.

The two companies didn't disclose the terms of the deal, but what attracted Amgen was West's Daikyo Crystal Zenith technology, a polymer-based injectable platform the company has licensed from Japanese pharma packaging outfit Daikyo Seiko.

The ready-to-fill platform uses Daikyo's proprietary Flurotec barrier film to create an elastic polymer container, providing for sterile, effective and reliable delivery of injectable drugs, West said. And the tech's versatility is exactly what Amgen needs to advance its therapeutics, according to company brass. "As a company that values innovation, we have been impressed with the innovations of West and Daikyo in container-closure systems," Vice President Martin VanTrieste said.

While Amgen didn't specify which of its drugs it has in mind for West's platform, the company is hardly the first big drugmaker to seek out new delivery techs to improve on-the-market treatments. Just this month, Allergan ($AGN) signed a deal with American Medical Systems ($AMMD) to develop a needle-free formulation of Botox, and, in April, Novo Nordisk ($NVO) inked a $100 million deal to use drug delivery firm Caisson's polymer-based capsules to develop new therapies.

- read West's release

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