Research and Development

Technology

Patch Technologies
Noven transdermal and transmucosal drug delivery technologies are among the most advanced in the world, having permitted Noven to develop the nation’s first two-drug combination patch, the world’s smallest estrogen patch, and the first transmucosal patch ever approved. Noven has obtained over 20 U.S. patents relating to its delivery systems and manufacturing processes, and has over 100 issued or pending patents worldwide.

Transdermal Technology
Noven’s patented, proprietary transdermal drug delivery systems incorporate a thin, solid state, multi-laminate construction with a drug-bearing interpolymeric adhesive. On one side the patch has a release liner that, when removed, exposes a pressure-sensitive adhesive. This adhesive functions as both the drug platform and as the means of affixing the system to the patient's skin. The outside of the patch is comprised of a specialized backing material that is specifically tailored to the drug being delivered and the length of time that the system is intended to be worn. The patch can administer different amounts of drug needed by the patient, and its shape is designed so that it can be worn comfortably with excellent adhesion. The transdermal drug delivery system is packaged in a pouch designed to maintain the system's stability and protect against contamination.

Noven's transdermal drug delivery systems are capable of being modified to deliver a wide variety of chemical entities. By utilizing a unique, patented blend of polymeric components that effectively modulate the solubility of the drug candidate in the adhesive, Noven has achieved the delivery of lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs while minimizing the amount of drug needed in the adhesive. By reducing the dependence of these transdermal systems on chemical means of enhancement, the irritation potential of the finished product is significantly reduced. As a result of these developments, larger molecules, previously believed to be unsuitable for transdermal delivery, can be administered at efficacious doses without irritation.

Transmucosal Technology
Noven’s transmucosal delivery systems adhere to the inner lining of the mouth and are suitable for a different class of molecules than transdermal systems. Large bio-engineered molecules, like peptides, proteins and carbohydrates, usually must be injected because they can be inactivated by digestion and are simply too large to be delivered with a skin patch. The lining of the mouth, however, is thin and highly vascular, permitting larger molecules to pass into the bloodstream rapidly. Noven believes that its transmucosal patch will offer a viable alternative to injections, particularly for acute indications. In fact, Noven’s DentiPatch^Ž lidocaine system is already a commercialized alternative to anesthetic injections associated with certain dental procedures.