Dermal Delivery Compositions Comprising Active Agent-Calcium Phosphate Particle Complexes and Methods of Using the Same

Abstract

Dermal delivery compositions are provided. Aspects of the dermal delivery compositions include the presence of active agent-calcium phosphate particle complexes, where these complexes include uniform, rigid, spherical nanoporous calcium phosphate particles associated with one or more active agents. Also provided are methods of using the compositions in active agent delivery applications.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising uniform, rigid, spherical nanoporous calcium phosphate calcium phosphate particles, wherein the particles have an average particle diameter of 2 microns or less and are complexed with an active agent. 
     
     
         2 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the particles have a pore volume ranging from 30 to 85%. 
     
     
         3 . The composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the particles have a pore size ranging from 2 nm to 100 nm. 
     
     
         4 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the particles are produced by:
 preparing a fluid composition of calcium phosphate crystals;   drying the fluid composition in a manner sufficient to produce precursor particles; and   subjecting the precursor particles to elevated temperature and pressure in a manner sufficient to produce uniform, rigid, spherical nanoporous calcium phosphate calcium phosphate particles.   
     
     
         5 . The composition according to  claim 4 , wherein the drying comprises spray-drying. 
     
     
         6 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a topical formulation. 
     
     
         7 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the amount of active agent complexed with the particles ranges from 0.01 to 300 mg active agent per gram of particles. 
     
     
         8 . A method of delivering an active agent to a subject, the method comprising:
 applying a composition comprising:
 uniform, rigid, spherical nanoporous calcium phosphate calcium phosphate particles, wherein the particles have an average particle diameter of 2 microns or less and are complexed with an active agent; 
   to a topical region of the subject to deliver the active agent to the subject.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the particles have a pore volume ranging from 30 to 85%. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the particles have a pore size ranging from 2 nm to 100 nm. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the amount of active agent complexed with the particles ranges from 0.01 to 300 mg active agent per gram of particles. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the topical location is a mucosal location. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the topical location is a keratinized skin surface. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the method is a method of delivering the active agent at least into the stratum corneum of the subject. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the method is a method of delivering the active agent into the deep stratum corneum of the subject. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the method is a method of delivering the active agent through the stratum corneum. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the method is a method of delivering the active agent into the dermis of the subject. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the method is a method of systemically delivering the active agent to the subject.