PR66602

Tillotts Pharma AG Introduces the New Technology OPTICORE(TM) (OPTImized COlonic RElease) for Colonic Targeting of Active Molecules for the Treatment

RHEINFELDEN, Switzerland, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

      Tillotts Pharma AG (Switzerland) introduced a new advanced enteric coating

for solid dosage forms at this year's annual meeting of the American

Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists. The OPTICORE(TM) coating technology

comprises two trigger systems and an accelerator to allow targeted drug release

in the large intestine to improve local and/or systemic drug bioavailability.

The inner coating layer is designed to accelerate the dissolution of the outer

coating, thereby accelerating the release of the active ingredient as soon as

the tablet reaches the large intestine. The pH-sensitive and enzyme-sensitive

triggers together with the accelerator of the inner layer are designed to open

the tablet precisely at the ileo-colonic junction to make the active ingredient

available. The OPTICORE(TM) technology is particularly suitable for larger

single unit formulations and offers great potential to address colon targeted

delivery especially in challenging conditions of ulcerative colitis.

    With the OPTICORE(TM) technology Tillotts Pharma AG introduces an advanced

coating system for accurate site-specific colonic targeting. The combination of

two physiological triggers for drug release, supported by a coating dissolution

acceleration mechanism is designed to overcome the inter- and intra-individual

variability in gastrointestinal physiology. It consists of an outer

polysaccharide and polymer coating whose degradation is triggered by either pH

or intestinal bacterial enzymes and an inner layer designated to allow for the

overall bioavailability of the dissolved active ingredient throughout the

target region. The coating has been successfully applied on tablets, gelatine

and Hydroxy-propyl-methyl-cellulose (HPMC) capsules and the neutron-activation

process does not impact the quality of the drug products.

    The OPTICORE(TM) technology is designed for accurate drug delivery to the

colon making it especially suitable for larger single unit formulations and

offers great potential to address a colon targeted delivery especially in the

challenging conditions of UC.

    About Tillotts

    Tillotts Pharma AG, part of the Japanese Zeria Group, is a fast-growing

specialty pharma company with over 250 employees in Switzerland and abroad.

Tillotts is dedicated to the development, in/out-licensing and

commercialisation of innovative pharmaceutical products for the digestive

system. Tillotts successfully markets its own products for the treatment of IBD

as well as in-licensed products, in over 65 countries through its affiliates

within Europe and a network of gastroenterology-focused partners throughout the

world.

    All trademarks used or mentioned here are protected by law.

    About Zeria

    Zeria Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., founded in 1955, based in Tokyo, Japan,

focuses on R&D,  manufacturing and sales of prescription drugs as well as OTC

products. The company is listed on the First Section of Tokyo Stock Exchange

(Stock code: 4559). Zeria holds a leading position within the gastroenterology

field in Japan and operates internationally through a number of subsidiaries.

    For more information about Zeria please visit: http://www.zeria.co.jp.

    (c) Copyright Tillotts Pharma AG. All rights reserved.

    Tillotts Pharma AG media contact:

    Suzanne Rouden

    Corporate Communications Manager a.i.

    Phone: +41(0)61-935-2749

    Email: srouden@tillotts.com

    http://www.tillotts.com

    Source:  Tillotts Pharma AG