Neos Therapeutics, a specialty pharmaceutical company with a portfolio of novel and proprietary oral drug delivery technologies as well as a late-stage pipeline of innovative extended release (XR) products for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), announced that it has been granted a key patent (US Patent No. 8,840,924) covering its XR-oral disintegrating tablet (ODT) technology, known as Rapidly Disintegrating Ionic Masking (RDIM).
RDIM utilises an orally disintegrating, controlled release, taste-masked pharmaceutical composition that can withstand compression forces associated with standard tableting technology, allowing for a drug to be incorporated into the ODT dosage form using ion resin technology. This technology not only provides extended release or controlled release properties, it can also mask the unpleasant taste of the drugs.
ODTs are tablets that disintegrate quickly when placed on the tongue and thus facilitate ingestion of a tablet. By combining the ODT dosage form with controlled release properties, Neos’ XR-ODT formulations can benefit those patients who have difficulty swallowing intact tablets and capsules and who require extended release products. XR-ODTs are easily transported, can be taken without liquid and provide convenient and easy to administer dosage form for patients and caregivers.
“This XR-ODT technology is embedded in two near-term products that Neos is developing. NT-0102 is an XR-ODT of Methylphenidate and NT-0202 is an XR-ODT of Amphetamine. Methylphenidate and Amphetamine are two of the most prescribed compounds for the treatment of ADHD. The application of XR-ODT technology to ADHD was obvious as the medications for ADHD need to be administered effectively and last all day long,” stated Vipin K. Garg, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer, of Neos.
“This patent further strengthens Neos’ intellectual property position and further protects our proprietary product candidates,” said Mark Tengler, chief technology officer of Neos. “We believe that our XR-ODT technology will have a broad applicability in multiple therapeutic areas.”