Polypeptide Oral Delivery via Surfactant-Polymer Adjuvant

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies face challenges in achieving effective oral administration of polypeptide drugs, as they often suffer from degradation by digestive enzymes, poor absorption through intestinal epithelial cells, and significant side effects.

Innovation Solution

A novel pharmaceutical composition combining a surfactant (sodium lauryl sulfate), an acrylic polymer (carbomer), chitin or its derivatives (chitosan), and a metal ion chelating agent (sodium citrate) is developed, which acts as an adjuvant to enhance the absorption of polypeptide drugs in the small intestine.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If polypeptide drugs are administered orally, then self-administration and production cost are improved, but drug degradation by digestive enzymes and poor absorption occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoiddrug absorption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an adjuvant composition containing surfactants, polymers, chitosan, and metal ion chelating agents as intermediaries to facilitate drug absorption. These adjuvants act as mediators between the polypeptide drug and the intestinal environment, protecting the drug from degradation and enhancing its absorption through the intestinal epithelium, thus resolving the contradiction between oral administration benefits and poor drug absorption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite adjuvant system combining multiple components: surfactants (e.g., sodium lauryl sulfate), acrylic polymers (e.g., carbomer), chitosan, and metal ion chelating agents (e.g., sodium citrate). This composite formulation works synergistically to protect polypeptide drugs from enzymatic degradation and enhance absorption, addressing the reliability issue while maintaining oral administration advantages

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If polypeptide drugs are administered orally, then self-administration is improved, but degradation by digestive enzymes occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveself-administrationVSAvoiddrug stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adjuvant composition serves as a protective intermediary that shields polypeptide drugs from digestive enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract. The surfactants and polymers in the adjuvant form protective complexes with the drug molecules, preventing enzymatic degradation while allowing the drug to reach the absorption site intact, thus maintaining drug stability during oral self-administration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The adjuvant composition performs preliminary protective action by forming protective complexes with the polypeptide drug before it encounters digestive enzymes. The metal ion chelating agents bind to metal ions that could catalyze degradation, while surfactants and polymers create a protective barrier, preemptively preventing enzymatic breakdown and maintaining drug integrity during oral administration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Ease of manufacture

If polypeptide drugs are administered orally, then production cost is reduced, but absorption through intestinal epithelial cells is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoidabsorption efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adjuvant composition acts as an intermediary that facilitates the transport of polypeptide drugs through the intestinal epithelium. The surfactants and polymers in the adjuvant enhance membrane permeability and promote paracellular or transcellular transport mechanisms, significantly improving absorption efficiency while maintaining the cost advantages of oral administration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The adjuvant composition modifies physiological parameters in the intestinal environment to enhance drug absorption. The surfactants alter membrane fluidity and permeability, the polymers change viscosity and diffusion characteristics, and the metal ion chelating agents modify local chemical conditions, collectively creating favorable conditions for polypeptide drug absorption through the intestinal epithelium

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 composition significantly improves the bioavailability and absorption of polypeptide drugs, such as Exenatide, insulin, and growth hormone, by facilitating their release and absorption in the small intestine, thereby overcoming the limitations of existing oral administration methods.

Implementation Method 1

a surfactant, an acrylic polymer, chitin or its derivatives, and a metal ion chelating agent according to claim 1. surfactant is sodium lauryl sulfate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

the acrylic polymer is carbomer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGel formation: Gel

Implementation Method 3

the chitin or its derivatives are chitosan

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 4

the metal ion chelating agent is sodium citrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChelation:

Data Source

PatentEP3871694B1Composition comprising sodium lauryl sulfate, carbomer, chitosan, sodium citrate and a drug selected from a polypeptide, insulin and growth hormone
Publication Date: 2025.04.09 ZHANG JING
  • EP3871694B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3871694B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3871694B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A composition comprising: a surfactant, an acrylic polymer, chitin or its derivatives, and a metal ion chelating agent. Studies have shown that the composition can promote absorption of effective ingredients in the small intestine and improve their bioavailability.