The startup produces gastro-resistant capsules that utilize pH-sensitive coatings to control the release of sensitive pharmaceuticals in the gastrointestinal tract. This technology enables targeted delivery of medications either in the upper small intestine or the colon, preventing disruption of the digestion process in the stomach.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Many orally administered pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and biological compounds are degraded or rendered ineffective by the harsh acidic environment of the stomach, hindering their therapeutic potential. Existing enteric coating technologies often exhibit limitations in pH-dependent dissolution profiles, potential bioactivity, and regulatory approval for over-the-counter products.
Solution
Apillet provides APIVault and NutraVault, patented gastro-resistant enteric encapsulation platforms that protect orally delivered pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals from the stomach's hostile environment, ensuring targeted release in the small intestine or colon. The capsules are composed of bacterial cellulose and pH-dependent cellulases, which remain inactive in the stomach but become active in the neutral pH of the intestine, enabling controlled dissolution and targeted delivery. This two-component encapsulation technology offers a biocompatible and non-toxic alternative to traditional polymethacrylate-based coatings, addressing the limitations of existing enteric coating technologies. The technology allows for the design of innovative products with patent protection and improved treatment adherence.
Target Audience
Apillet's primary customers are pharmaceutical and nutraceutical companies seeking advanced oral delivery solutions for sensitive compounds, as well as biotech companies developing microbiome and microbiota therapeutics.
Features
- Two-component encapsulation consisting of bacterial cellulose and pH-dependent cellulases
- Capsules remain stable in the acidic stomach environment and dissolve at a controlled rate in the neutral pH of the intestine
- Targeted release options for both the small intestine and the colon
- Biocompatible and non-toxic materials suitable for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications
- Potential for easy regulatory approval due to the use of well-known materials
- Suitable for a broad range of biopharmaceuticals, sensitive pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, prebiotics, probiotics, enzyme therapeutics, and dietary supplements
- Addresses the limitations of polymethacrylate-based coatings, including restricted design space, potential bioactivity, and regulatory restrictions
- Patent protection covering encapsulations made of two-component coatings composed of dietary fibers and enzymes that digest dietary fibers