Self-Emulsifying Oral Composition for Gradual Enteric Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solid compositions for delivering lipophilic active ingredients face challenges in solubilizing and stabilizing these ingredients in gastric fluids, leading to poor bioavailability and rapid metabolism, while also failing to provide controlled release in the enteric environment.

Innovation Solution

A solid oral composition comprising a self-emulsifying vehicle with a specific ratio of polyoxyethylene sorbitan ester, caseinate derivative, and fatty acid components, which forms mixed micelles in the enteric environment, ensuring gradual release and stability against gastric fluids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If lipophilic active ingredients are administered in conventional solid compositions, then they can be delivered in a stable solid form, but they fail to solubilize effectively in gastric fluids and undergo rapid metabolism, leading to poor bioavailability

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebioavailabilityVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite self-emulsifying system combining multiple components (polyoxyethylene sorbitan ester, caseinate derivative, and fatty acid) that work synergistically to solubilize lipophilic actives. This composite approach enables effective solubilization and protection from metabolism while maintaining a practical solid formulation that can be manufactured using conventional processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the active ingredient delivery system by converting the lipophilic active into a self-emulsifying complex with specific HLB characteristics. This parameter change enables the active to transition from a water-insoluble state to a state that forms stable emulsions and mixed micelles in gastrointestinal fluids, dramatically improving bioavailability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of moving object

If solid compositions use adsorbing agents like silicates or cross-linked polymers to control release, then release control is achieved, but the compositions require additional gelling polymers and are not gastro-resistant

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelease controlVSAvoidcomposition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The self-emulsifying vehicle components perform multiple functions simultaneously: the polyoxyethylene sorbitan ester and caseinate derivative provide both solubilization and controlled release properties, while the entire system provides gastro-resistance. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate gelling polymers and simplifies the overall composition while achieving sustained release.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The self-emulsifying system is self-regulating: the specific ratio of hydrophilic to lipophilic components (HLB balance) automatically controls the emulsification and release kinetics without requiring external control mechanisms. The system self-adjusts its release profile based on the gastrointestinal environment, providing inherent controlled release functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If solid compositions are designed for gastro-resistance through filming or external coating, then gastro-resistance is achieved, but controlled or delayed release effect is not obtainable without additional coating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegastro-resistanceVSAvoiddelayed release
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the gastro-resistance function and the controlled release function into a single integrated self-emulsifying vehicle system. The same components that provide gastric protection (the amphiphilic nature of polyoxyethylene sorbitan ester and caseinate) also control the release kinetics by regulating emulsion formation and mixed micelle assembly in the intestine, eliminating the need for separate coating layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The self-emulsifying vehicle acts as an intermediary that mediates between the lipophilic active ingredient and the gastrointestinal environment. It protects the active from gastric degradation while simultaneously controlling its release in the intestine through regulated emulsification and micelle formation, based on the specific HLB balance of its components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If self-emulsifying systems are used to solubilize lipophilic actives, then bioavailability is improved, but the composition must be physically stable and processable despite the presence of oily components

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebioavailabilityVSAvoidphysical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the HLB parameters of the self-emulsifying system by selecting specific ratios of polyoxyethylene sorbitan ester (hydrophilic) to fatty acid (lipophilic). This parameter optimization ensures the system forms stable emulsions in gastrointestinal fluids for improved bioavailability, while simultaneously maintaining physical stability and processability in the solid dosage form through controlled eutectic interactions.

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 effectively solubilizes and stabilizes lipophilic ingredients, enhancing bioavailability and permeability, while maintaining integrity in the gastric environment and promoting controlled release in the intestine.

Implementation Method 1

lead to the formation of mixed micelles in the enteric environment, once in contact with enteric liquids, for example with bile salts (extemporaneous emulsion formation)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicelle formation: Self-Assembly

Implementation Method 2

promote the formation of in vivo and prolonged release emulsions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEmulsion formation: Emulsion

Implementation Method 3

a self-emulsifying vehicle comprising or consisting of an oily matrix... and a caseinate derivative

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP4678167A1Solid oral composition with gradual enteric release for lipophilic active ingredients
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 LAB DELLA FARMACIA SPA
  • EP4678167A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2(B)
  • EP4678167A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4678167A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present patent application concerns a gradual enteric-release oral solid composition comprising: i) at least one active lipophilic ingredient belonging to BCS class II and/or IV according to the biopharmaceutical classification system; ii) a self-emulsifying vehicle comprising or consisting of ii-a) a solubilizing oily matrix comprising or consisting of a polyoxyethylene sorbitan ester with a fatty acid, the fatty acid being saturated or unsaturated and having a number of carbon atoms comprised between 16 and 22, a mono and diglyceride of a fatty acid, the fatty acid being saturated or unsaturated and having a number of carbon atoms comprised between 16 and 22, at least one unsaturated fatty acid and having a number of carbon atoms comprised between 16 and 20, ii-b) a caseinate derivative; iii) suitable excipients and/or diluents, wherein the ratio, expressed in formula (I), between the amount of the caseinate derivative and the ratio between the amount of the at least one ester of the polyoxyethylene sorbitan and the amount of the at least one active lipophile is comprised between 0.03 and 0.6.