Ingestible Device for Targeted TNF Inhibitor Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatment regimens for gastrointestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, face challenges in delivering therapeutic drugs specifically to the gastrointestinal tract, particularly to the cecum, leading to reduced efficacy and increased side effects due to systemic administration.

Innovation Solution

A method involving an ingestible device with a housing, reservoir, and release mechanism that delivers a TNF inhibitor directly to the cecum, allowing for localized release of the therapeutic agent, triggered by sensors or pre-programmed algorithms, ensuring targeted treatment with reduced systemic exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If therapeutic drugs are administered orally for gastrointestinal diseases, then the treatment covers the entire gastrointestinal tract, but the drug concentration at the specific disease site (cecum) is insufficient and systemic side effects increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrug concentration at disease siteVSAvoidsystemic side effects
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by designing a targeted drug delivery system that releases TNF inhibitor specifically at the cecum location rather than distributing the drug systemically. The ingestible device is programmed to release the therapeutic agent at a specific gastrointestinal location, thereby concentrating the drug where it is needed most while minimizing exposure to other tissues and reducing systemic side effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If an ingestible device is used to deliver drugs to the cecum, then localized drug release is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocalized drug deliveryVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ingestible device integrates multiple functions into a single system: it serves as both the drug container and the delivery mechanism, combining reservoir, release mechanism, and location tracking capabilities. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device structure while achieving localized drug delivery to the cecum.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If oral administration is used for gastrointestinal diseases, then the administration method is simple, but the drug is contaminated or digested in the stomach reducing efficacy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrug efficacyVSAvoidadministration method
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ingestible device is designed to survive passage through the stomach and upper gastrointestinal tract before releasing the drug at the target location in the cecum. The device protects the therapeutic agent from degradation in the stomach environment and ensures timely release at the intended site, thereby maintaining drug efficacy while still using a simple oral administration route.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3554342B1Treatment of a disease of the gastrointestinal tract with a TNF inhibitor
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 BIORA THERAPEUTICS INC
  • EP3554342B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3554342B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3554342B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This disclosure features methods and compositions for treating diseases of the gastrointestinal tract with a TNF inhibitor.