OXPzero™ – Engineered NSAID Performance Platform
OXPzero™ enables control of how an NSAID is released and absorbed, rather than relying solely on increased solubility to drive speed.
By engineering onset kinetics and systemic exposure as independent variables, the platform creates new differentiation opportunities in mature NSAID categories without increasing dose or relying on elevated peak concentrations.
How It Works
The platform is implemented using proprietary layered double hydroxide (LDH) architecture. In this structure, anionic drug molecules are hosted within positively charged metal hydroxide layers. This engineered matrix governs how the drug is released and becomes available for absorption.
This architecture enables:
• Tunable release kinetics
• Intrinsic taste masking
• Improved physicochemical stability
• Compatibility with multiple oral dosage formats
LDH synthesis is compatible with scalable aqueous pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
Platform Benefits
Engineered Rapid Onset (Oxprofen™) – In a direct head-to-head human pharmacokinetic study versus fast-acting ibuprofen lysine, Oxprofen™ achieved a median Tmax of approximately 30 minutes — faster than lysine — while remaining bioequivalent for AUC and Cmax.
This demonstrates that rapid onset does not require elevated or sharper peak exposure.
Intrinsic Taste-Masking – The LDH architecture prevents immediate drug release in the oral cavity, eliminating bitterness and throat burn and enabling palatable formats such as ODTs, granules, drinks, and chewables.
Controlled Exposure Profile
Release behaviour is governed by engineered ion exchange rather than solubility alone, allowing early attainment of effective concentrations without elevated systemic peaks.Gastric Tolerability Potential – Early endoscopy data indicate reduced gastric-irritation potential compared to standard ibuprofen formulations.
Format Versatility – Adaptable to OTC pain products, acute prescription use, paediatric formulations, and novel delivery formats including hot drinks and dispersible systems.
Regulatory Pathway
Oxprofen™ and related LDH NSAID systems can be registered via the 505(b)(2) pathway in the US or Article 10(3) hybrid pathway in the EU, with optional direct OTC routes depending on jurisdiction.
Development leverages established API safety profiles and does not require new efficacy trials.
Platform Extensions
The LDH platform extends beyond ibuprofen to other anionic NSAIDs such as naproxen.
In human pharmacokinetic studies, LDH naproxen has demonstrated bioequivalence to naproxen acid. In vitro work further shows that release behaviour can be engineered in a manner analogous to Oxprofen™, supporting the potential for accelerated onset profiles.
This supports development of a differentiated family of NSAIDs under a single, IP-protected formulation architecture.
