Targeted delivery of enzyme supplements, FHNW School of Life Sciences

The brush border lines the small intestine and harbours digestive enzymes needed to break food down into nutrients. When the brush border is damaged by Celiac’s disease or other digestive disorders, it can no longer produce enzymes normally. Oral enzyme supplements can help, but they need to reach the small intestine safely and rapidly.

Experts from the FHNW School of Life Sciences are collaborating with Swiss firm AMYRA on a special formulation for brush border enzyme supplementation. The delivery system will provide gastric protection and ensure immediate release once enzymes reach the upper small intestine.

To evaluate their formulations, the team is using dynamic gastrointestinal transfer models with biorelevant media including standard meal scenarios. They are assessing enzyme activity and how formulated enzyme supplements perform in digesting proteins like gluten. Using HPLC-MS-MS measurements, they will optimise the delivery system to ensure that proteins are sufficiently digested and reach residual concentrations considered safe in Celiac’s disease.

The enabling formulation developed through the project will help AMYRA launch its lead consumer health product AMYNOPEP01 and may also be applied to other products targeting digestive disorders in the company’s portfolio.

"Targeted delivery of (bio)therapeutic agents to the site of their action improves efficiency by avoiding wastage of agent not reaching its intended target."

Prof. Dr. Georgios Imanidis, Professor and Group Head, Institute of Pharma Technology and Biotechnology, FHNW School of Life Sciences

"Targeted enzyme delivery to the upper small intestine is expected to be especially beneficial in various enteropathies, where digestion is impaired."

Dr. Werner Tschollar, CEO, AMYRA