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Therapy areas

Within the life sciences area, EminTech's experience mainly covers topical (skin and nail) products, together with gastric absorption of pharmaceutics.

 
 
 

Skin, Mucosa

skin
 
 

As a rough guide, the outer layer of normal skin (Stratum Corneum) is impermeable to molecules larger than about 800 u (Dalton).

Hydration and other "permeability enhancers", like some fatty acids, may impose a slight increase of this limit.

 

Formulations like creams, ointments, gels, emulsion foams, microemulsions and oils (occasionally "self-emulsifying") are used to distribute an active component to the target area.

Local application of active substances is generally favoured over systemic (e.g. oral) delivery. The risks of unwanted side effects are decreased and registration procedures are simplified.

 
 

Wounds

 
 

Wound formulations commonly use gels, emulsions and oils as vehicles for active components.

The image above show the two references in a wound healing study.

 

During healing, formulations protect the wound from environmental stress and may enhance healing and scar formation e.g. by controlling humidity and nutrition, or active agent, supply.

 
 

Nails

nail
 
 

The image above shows a microscope photograph of a cut surface from of a partially dehydrated nail clip. The nail outer surface is shown towards right.

Permeation of an active drug through the nail is significantly restricted by the nail's structure.

 

Therefore, in addition to optimal hydration of the nail, permeation enhancers must almost always be used in order to transport an active substance through the nail.

 
 
 

Gastric absorption

 

In order to be absorbed in the gastric area, an active substance must at least be dissolved.

Alternatively it should be protected (coating) against degradation in the stomach, and then uncoated and dissolved in a later region, e.g. jejunum, where absorption is desired.

 
Solubility of a pharmaceutical substance in a three component mixture. Darker blue colour represents higher solubility
 
 
 
2022-04-01