DuraPeel™
The DuraPeel™ technology allows a drug to be spread as a cream or a gel onto a patient's skin where it forms a clear pliable layer that releases drug into the skin for up to 12 hours. The DuraPeel layer is not susceptible to inadvertent removal by touching or contact with clothing. Following the desired treatment time, the DuraPeel product can be easily peeled or washed from the skin. DuraPeel can be applied over contoured parts of the body and we believe it is suitable for delivering topical local anesthetics, analgesics, steroids, antivirals, antifungals and retinoids.
Using this technology, ZARS developed Steroid DuraPeel product candidate. Steroid DuraPeel is a phase-changing gel designed to deliver a steroid locally for an extended period of time for the treatment of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses, including hand dermatitis and psoriasis.
It is believed the phase-changing cream and gel (DuraPeel) technologies may have several benefits compared to traditional patches, creams, gels and ointments, including:
Controlled Drug Delivery: Conventional creams, ointments and gels do not allow for controlled drug delivery because they are vulnerable to unintended removal by contact with clothing, objects or people and dosing levels vary depending on the thickness or volume applied and the frequency of application. It is believed Peel and DuraPeel technologies are capable of delivering drugs to areas covered by the product, regionally in tissues near where the product is placed or systemically throughout the blood stream. Peel and DuraPeel based formulations create a pliable layer that remains adhered to the skin and maintains drug delivery for desired treatment periods of up to 12 hours.
Increased Patient Compliance: Many topical creams require frequent dosing to achieve the intended therapeutic outcome. The frequent dosing requirements can lead to low patient compliance.
Due to its ability to sustain prolonged drug delivery periods and to protect against unintentional removal, we believe that DuraPeel
products may improve patient compliance, which may improve
treatment outcome.Application to Large and Irregular Skin Surfaces: The rigidity, size and shape of traditional transdermal patches limit their application to relatively flat skin surfaces. For example, the most commonly used topical local anesthetic preparation may not be suitable for application on all areas of the body because it does not adhere to the application site, which can lead to side effects such as running into the eyes. Peel and DuraPeel formulations dispense as a cream that quickly forms a pliable layer that adheres to any intact skin surface.