New formulation modelling successes using ex vivo tissue

MedPharm claims an increasing number of performance tests can be done using their ex vivo human tissue banks.

One study uses the company's proprietary TurChub model, to evaluate the diffusion and subsequent activity of drugs in human nails.

This first study, published in the Journal of Dermatology Treatment entitled “In vitro efficacy of tavaborole topical solution, 5% after penetration through nail polish on ex vivo human fingernails” describes the use of MedPharm’s proprietary TurChub model, to evaluate the diffusion and subsequent activity of drugs in human nails for the treatment of onychomycosis (T. rubrum) MedPharm’s scientists were able to show that the application of nail polish to the nail had no impact on the ability of the drug to penetrate or kill the fungal infection.

The second was described In a poster at the 3rd German Pharm-Tox Summit this year entitled “Determination of the permeation and penetration of Flurbiprofen from a locally acting sore throat lozenge and spray into human pharynx tissue” MedPharm scientists compared the penetration of Flurbiprofen into ex vivo human larynx tissue when delivered by spray or lozenge. In both cases it was demonstrated that there was rapid and deep drug penetration. This provides strong support that both treatments can provide quick acting relief.

Dr Rob Turner, MedPharm’s Senior Director of Innovation, commented: “MedPharm has 20 years of experience in modelling the behaviour of formulated drugs using skin and other ex vivo human tissue in the laboratory. These examples are just two ways in which our models can be employed to expand the clinical applicability of a product. MedPharm is continuously investing in research to increase the sophistication of its models.”

“We routinely use fresh healthy ex vivo human skin to monitor the biological activity of many drug candidates as well as their penetration and permeation,” added Dr Jon Lenn, MedPharm’s Chief Technology Officer. “We can maintain the viability of the skin up to 10 days in the laboratory which greatly increases the options we have for monitoring and optimising both drug and drug product performance.”