Tech Session V: Nanomedicine and Nanoscale Delivery (Focus: Oral)
Improving bioavailability of poorly soluble oral drugs
Thursday, July 17, 2025
11:49 AM - 12:00 PM EDT
Location: 121 B/C
Introduction: The extraordinary supramolecular macrocycles, Cucurbit[n]urils (Q[n]s), have shown potential to significantly increase the aqueous solubility as well as bioavailability of diversified insoluble or poorly soluble drugs through encapsulation (1). An oral antipsychotic drug, Lurasidone Hydrochloride (LH), has very poor aqueous solubility (0.224 mg/ml) and extremely low oral bioavailability (9 to 19%) (2). The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of Q[n]s to increase LH solubility toward achieving improved oral bioavailability while also maintaining healthy gut microbiota.
Learning Objectives:
At the completion of this activity, participants will know
Describe the supramolecular macrocycle, cucurbituril and its drug encapsulation properties.
Identify the potential of cucurbiturils for improving oral drug solubility.
Define the applications of cucurbiturils in oral drug delivery.
Anthony Day, Dr. – Senior Lecturer, School of Science, UNSW Canberra Campus, University of New South Wales
