Electrospray encapsulation technology for targeted gut delivery of anti-fibrotic agents
Patented high-throughput electrospray technology for microencapsulating anti-fibrotic agents in gastroprotective matrices, enabling targeted delivery to the gut and extended retention time. The process is gentle, room-temperature, scalable, and proven effective for probiotics, APIs, and sensitive bioactives.
Overview
This offering centers on a patented high-throughput electrospray technology for producing controlled-release microcapsules designed to deliver anti-fibrotic agents directly to the gut. Many bioactive compounds suffer partial degradation in the acidic environment of the stomach. By encapsulating active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in tailored gastroprotective matrices, the technology protects the payload during gastric transit and enables targeted release in the intestinal tract, while also extending gut retention time through improved adhesion.
The underlying electrospray process has been validated across a wide range of biological compounds, including APIs, probiotics, yeasts, and omega-3 fatty acids. This track record supports its application to anti-fibrotic agents for inflammatory bowel disease and related conditions, where localized delivery can improve therapeutic outcomes.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- High encapsulation efficiency that protects sensitive bioactives and extends shelf life
- Room-temperature processing that avoids thermal degradation of fragile molecules
- Controlled particle size and narrow particle size distribution for predictable release behavior
- Scalable to industrial production via high-throughput electrospraying
- Tailored gastroprotective matrices selected to resist stomach acid and enable intestinal release
Validated performance examples:
- Encapsulated valsartan showed a 3-fold higher area-under-curve over 24 hours in Sprague Dawley rats compared with the commercial drug
- Probiotic strains encapsulated in gastroresistant matrices retained viability with only a one-log reduction after processing and remained stable for one year at 4 °C
- Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids encapsulated in whey protein resisted oxidation while preserving sensory properties
Technology readiness level
The electrospray encapsulation platform has reached a mature development stage, supported by published studies, internal data, and existing patents covering multiple encapsulation strategies. For the anti-fibrotic application, the next validation steps include morphological analysis by electron microscopy, particle size distribution by photon correlation spectroscopy, API loading capacity assessment, X-ray protein crystallography, and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. In vitro release testing will mimic gastrointestinal conditions, followed by Transwell co-culture studies with Caco-2 and HT29-MTX cells and macrophages under inflammatory conditions. Promising candidates will advance to in vivo testing in a chemically induced IBD mouse model.
About Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) is Spain’s national public research organization and the country’s largest R&D institution, with a nationwide network of institutes across major innovation hubs. Many labs are co‑located with universities, hospitals, and science parks, giving partners plug‑and‑play access to advanced facilities, pilot‑scale capabilities, and testing services. Industry collaborates through contract research, sponsored development, and shared core facilities, with pathways into multi‑site European consortia. Research is supported by competitive European programs and Spain’s national funding agencies. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, and spin‑off formation to accelerate commercialization.
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