Oral Terpene Cyclodextrin Vehicles for Consistent Drug Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cyclodextrin-based therapeutics face challenges due to variability in amylase activity among patients, particularly those with pancreatic insufficiency or reduced gastric acid production, leading to inconsistent drug release and potential perturbation of pharmacokinetic properties.

Innovation Solution

Development of cyclodextrin inclusion complex formulations containing camphene and additional terpenes, stabilized by cyclodextrins, with an enzyme that degrades cyclodextrins upon delivery to release the guest molecules, tailored for oral delivery to address airway mucus dysfunction and other conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cyclodextrins are used to stabilize and deliver hydrophobic drugs, then water solubility and stability are improved, but variability in amylase activity among patients causes inconsistent drug release

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrug release consistencyVSAvoidpatient variability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an enzyme-responsive release mechanism where cyclodextrinase acts as an intermediary to degrade cyclodextrins into glucose units, enabling consistent drug release independent of patient amylase activity. This mediator system bridges the gap between the cyclodextrin carrier and the drug payload, ensuring reliable release kinetics across diverse patient populations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical structure of cyclodextrins by introducing enzyme-cleavable linkages that change the degradation parameters. By designing cyclodextrin derivatives with specific bond vulnerabilities to cyclodextrinase, the system achieves predictable release profiles that are not dependent on variable endogenous amylase activity, thus resolving the inconsistency issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If cyclodextrins are used to form inclusion complexes, then hydrophobic drug solubility is improved, but residual cyclodextrins may perturb pharmacokinetic properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrug solubilityVSAvoidpharmacokinetic perturbation
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a degradability strategy where cyclodextrins are designed to be completely degraded into glucose monomers by cyclodextrinase. This discarding approach eliminates residual cyclodextrins that could otherwise perturb pharmacokinetic properties, while the inclusion complex functionality is fully utilized for enhancing drug solubility during delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The cyclodextrin carrier is designed as a temporary, disposable delivery vehicle that fulfills its solubility-enhancing function and then degrades completely. The transient nature of the cyclodextrin carrier ensures it provides necessary solubility benefits during delivery but disappears afterward, avoiding long-term pharmacokinetic interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Duration of action of moving object

If cyclodextrins are used for sustained release, then duration of action is improved, but enzyme activity variability leads to unpredictable release rates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrug release durationVSAvoidrelease rate control
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cyclodextrin structure into modular units with defined enzymatic cleavage sites. This segmentation creates predictable degradation pathways where cyclodextrinase systematically breaks down the cyclodextrin rings into glucose units, providing controlled and consistent release rates that maintain sustained action while eliminating variability from endogenous enzyme differences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The formulations provide stable and targeted release of bioactive compounds, effectively treating airway mucus dysfunctions and other conditions by ensuring consistent drug delivery and minimizing residual cyclodextrin impact.

Implementation Method 1

The inner surface is generally hydrophobic and lined with the anomeric oxygen atoms and the C3-H and C5-H hydrogen atoms. In aqueous solution, this hydrophobic lumen may contain water molecules... otherwise hydrophilic cyclodextrins may bind retain one or more suitably-sized molecules within, or partially within, the lumen of the CD, forming a cyclodextrin inclusion body or complex.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobic interaction: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 2

cyclodextrin-degrading activities... capable of digesting the cyclodextrin retaining the guest molecule... Cyclodextrinase (CDase) catalyzes the hydrolysis of CDs to form linear oligosaccharides of α-1,4-linkages

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP4125830B1Oral terpene cyclodextrin inclusion complex vehicles
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 CZAP RESEACH & DEV LLC

AI summary

The invention provides oral terpene cyclodextrin inclusion complex delivery vehicles, including formulations in which the cyclodextrin inclusion complex is provided together with enzyme having a cyclodextrin-degrading activity capable of digesting the cyclodextrin, so that upon delivery of the vehicle to a target the enzyme is activated and releases the guest molecule from the cyclodextrin cavity. In alternative aspects, these cyclodextrin inclusion complex delivery vehicles are for example provided in the form of time release formulations, for example for treatment of airway mucus dysfunction. Formulations are also provided with erectogenic efficacy.