Oral Film Technology, VersaFilm™

IntelGenx immediate release oral film Technology, VersaFilm™, is made up of a strip of thin polymeric film comprised of United States Pharmacopeia (USP) components that are safe and approved by the FDA for use in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. Derived from the edible film technology used for breath enhancement strips and initially developed for the instant delivery of savoury flavours to food substrates, the Instant Delivery Film has distinct advantages over existing fast dissolving oral tablets, which make it the application system of choice for indications requiring the immediate onset of action, like migraine, motion sickness, nausea, erectile dysfunction, or seasonal allergies.

General characteristics of the VersaFilm™ technology

Technical features of IntelGenx’ VersaFilm™ Advantages of IntelGenx’ VersaFilm™
  • Area: 2-8 cm²
  • Thickness: 25-50 microns
  • Drug loading: up to 40mg
  • Disintegration time: from 30 seconds to 10 minutes depending on the application
  • Onset of action: depending on the application from 15 minutes to several hours
  • Can be placed on or under the tongue
  • Adjustable onset of action
  • Convenient and discrete administration
  • Can be used to deliver volatile drugs (e.g. nicotine or nitroglycerin)
  • Ideal for lifecycle management
  • Adjustable flavours and textures
  • Easy to carry with unit-dose packaging system
  • Can be taken without water
  • IntelGenx patented technology


Delivery options of the VERSAFIM technology

Buccal Absorption
-
 Site of drug administration/
absorption
 Buccal cavity/ Buccal cavity
Best for
 Low to high solubility and high permeability, low dosage
Advantages
 Increased bioavailability

Reduces first pass metabolization and may reduce side effect of metabolites

Faster onset of action

Limits gastrointestinal exposure


Immediate GI absorption
-
 Site of drug administration/
absorption
 Buccal cavity/GI tract
Best for
 Low strength, no gastric sensitivity
Advantages
 Bioequivalent to commercial reference
 


Controlled/Delayed Absorption
-
 Site of drug administration/
absorption
 GI tract
Best for
 Low strength
Advantages
 Limits gastrointestinal exposure

Controls the release and lowers peak plasma concentration