Taste-masked nanofibres for paediatric drug delivery

The effective delivery of medications to children remains a major challenge, not only because of the distinct distribution profiles associated with this population but also due to issues of acceptability and palatability that are closely associated with concordance. The problem becomes exacerbated within the global perspective, with particular issues inclduing cost and practicality of administration. Our hypothesis is that rapidly disintegrating dosage forms (which 'melt' in the mouth) may be designed so as to simultaneously mask drug taste via nanofiber incorporation. We believe that such a system is now feasible from an efficacy and
manufacturing perspective, as low-cost nanofibers provide a novel means of simultaneously controlling release, taste and mouthfeel. Here we use recent technology to produce nanofibers on a realistic scale which may be incorporated into films disintegrating in the mouth. We will also use our suite of taste assessment facilities to measure masking efficacy.

Main Methods and Techniques to be employed:
- Nanofibre production using pressurized gyration, in collaboration with Colleagues in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
- Formulation of nanofibres into orally disintegrating dosage forms.
- Assessment of taste using a range of systems ranging from electronic biosensor systems to human taste panels