Press Coated Tablet (tab-in-tab)

Geoclock® is a validated tab in tab (press coated tablet) oral drug delivery technology that allows for timed release of active ingredient from the tablet (oral chronotherapy), independent of food or pH.

Geoclock® can additionally be used for multiple pulse delivery of one or more drugs with pre-determined time intervals between the pulses, or to target colonic release of drugs. Where more than one drug is included, the delivery profile can be different for each API. Geoclock® is easily manufactured using conventional production equipment, minimizing the need for capital investment.

Geoclock® is a dry-coated tablet with an active drug core inside an outer tablet layer comprising a mixture of hydrophobic wax and brittle material. This configuration generates a pH-independent lag-time prior to the release of the active drug. After the pre-defined and configurable lag-time the inner tablet releases the active drug either as a burst or with a controlled release pattern.

The controlled release characteristics of the inner core can be modified to achieve the desired profile.

Geoclock® can be used to create chronotherapy-focused drug delivery that is independent of the location in the GI tract, pH or food. Examples of the application of Geoclock® include:

• A burst release after a long lag-time or a slow release rate after a short lag-time
• Drug delivery specifically at the colonic level, which is valuable for drugs targeted for colonic absorption
• Multiple pulse release e.g. to mimic multiple daily dosing of conventional formulations