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Session: Technical Session II

Skin and Mucosal Delivery I

Tuesday, July 9, 2024
3:30 PM – 5:30 PM CET
Location: Emilia Room
Title:
Dissolving microarray patches for malaria chemoprophylaxis: Mapping solid drug nanoparticle incorporation and long-acting release in vivo.

Description:
Atovaquone, an example of a ‘brick dust’ pharmaceutical, is currently administered as a daily oral dose for chemoprophylaxis against P. falciparum malaria. The low aqueous solubility of atovaquone paired with its variable oral bioavailability has driven research into alternative dosing regimens. Previously, the effective solubility of atovaquone has been greatly improved through formulation of the drug into solid drug nanoparticles – facilitating the incorporation of this drug into a water-soluble dissolving microarray patch.
Here, we present the formulation and characterisation of a novel microarray patch containing nanoformulated atovaquone, showing evidence of potential long-acting delivery in vivo.
Variable drug distribution throughout microneedles is examined via electron microscopy, x-ray microtomography, and radiometric sectioning techniques. Transdermal flux of atovaquone from microarray patches is investigated ex vivo via a radiometric permeation model. Enhancement of effective aqueous solubility through nanoformulation.
This work further emphasises the potential of transdermal drug delivery devices, such as microarray patches, for the delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs such as atovaquone.