Patent Picks—Delivering to Cells, Cold Processing, Stabilizing Retinol and More

Chosen biweekly for their relevance to personal care, Patent Picks are taken from publicly available sources. This edition features patents related to formulating aids and methods of delivery, stabilizing, processing and more.

Low energy, cold process formulation aid
US Patent 8299162
Publication date: Oct. 30, 2012
Assignee: Jeen International Corp.

An important characteristic of the cold process formulation aids disclosed in this patent is that, when combined with an aqueous medium at a temperature not exceeding ~ 30°C, a hydrogel is formed that can be combined with additional ingredients to form an o/w emulsion, or in certain embodiments, a w/o emulsion. The cold processing aids include a wax and a polymer having a backbone and a plurality of pendant groups thereon that are pendant ionic or ionizable groups, or pendant groups having at least one permanent dipole that includes an alcohol, thiol, ester, amide, imide, imine or nitrile moiety. The backbone can be an aliphatic backbone, a polysaccharide backbone, a siloxane backbone, or a polyamide backbone. Also provided is a method of making personal care products using the cold processing aid.

Peptide lipid-containing carrier and method for introducing compound into cells using same
US Patent 8299129
Publication date: Oct. 30, 2012
Assignee: Fukuoka Prefectural Government, Kyoto University and Dojindo Laboratories

The present invention describes a carrier that is capable of efficiently introducing a compound into cells. The carrier has low cytotoxicity and contains peptide lipids. Also disclosed is a method for introducing a compound into cells using the carrier. Any compound can be introduced, such as peptides, lipids, bioactive substances, diphenhydramine (antihistamine), diclofenac (anti-inflammatory drug) and moisturizers for cosmetics. Further, the carrier may comprise a molecule other than the aforementioned peptide lipid molecule. Examples include: an amphiphilic molecule, e.g., phospholipid; cationic lipid molecule; surfactant; polyethylene glycol; and peptide lipid or the like.

Method and composition for evenly applying water-soluble actives
US Patent 8299127
Publication date: Oct. 30, 2012
Assignee: Conopco Inc.

Disclosed in this patent are a method and composition for evenly applying water-soluble actives. The method involves applying a composition with a high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) to skin and generating a film with a hydrophilic surface so that composition and active can be evenly applied. The end use composition utilized by this method has a contact angle against water that is greater than ~ 90 degrees before application, and less than ~ 70 degrees immediately after shear is applied.

There is no limitation with respect to the type of emulsifier that may be used other than the emulsifier should be suitable for use in a HIPE suitable for topical application. Such emulsifier often has an HLB of less than about 9, preferably less than about 7, and most preferably less than about 5. Illustrative examples of the type of emulsifier that may be used in this invention include those generally classified as polyether modified silicone surfactants like PEG/PPG-20/22 butyl ether dimethicone, PEG-3 dimethicone, PEG-9 methyl ether dimethicone, PEG-10 dimethicone, mixtures thereof or the like.

A method to stabilize retinoic acid, retinoic acid-containing composition, and use of the composition
US Patent 8299122
Publication date: Oct. 30, 2012
Assignee: Skinvisible Pharmaceuticals Inc.

This invention describes a method for stabilizing retinoic acid that involves mixing it with a hydrophobic polymer/hydrophilic polymer adduct in the presence of an oxygen-containing atmosphere. The adduct includes a poly(vinylpyrrolidone/alkylene) polymer and a polymer comprising repeating carboxylic acid groups, hydroxyl groups, or a mixture of carboxylic acid groups and hydroxyl groups. The retinoic acid-containing composition comprises at least ~ 0.0001% w/w retinoic acid; ~ 3.0% w/w hydrophobic polymer/hydrophilic polymer adduct, and at least about 50.0% w/w water.

Film delivery system for tetrahydrolipstatin and other additives
US Patent 8298583
Publication date: Oct. 30, 2012
Assignee: Monosol Rx LLC

In the present patent, a pharmaceutical-based film system is described that includes various small-scale forms of pharmaceutically active agents, including tetrahydrolipstatin, in a film base. Such forms include nanoparticles, microparticles and combinations thereof. Methods of producing such a film and providing a dosage of the pharmaceutical in a film also are provided. A variety of other components and fillers may be added to the films as well, including surfactants, plasticizers, encapsulants and thermo-setting gels such as pectin, carageenan and gelatin, which help in maintaining the dispersion of components. Other additives may include excipients, pigments, coloring agents, fillers, fragrances, release modifiers, adjuvants, binders, buffers, adhesives, softeners, resins, surfactants, emulsifiers, elastomers and mixtures thereof.

Matrix compositions for controlled delivery of drug substances
US Patent 8298581
Publication date: Oct. 30, 2012
Assignee: Egalet A/S

A controlled release pharmaceutical composition for oral use is disclosed in this patent in the form of a coated matrix. The matrix comprises: a) a mixture of a first and a second polymer that have plasticizing properties and melting points or intervals up to 200°C. The first polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycols and polyethylene oxides, and the second polymer is selected from a block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. Also included is b) a therapeutically, prophylactically and/or diagnostically active substance. The described matrix composition is coated such that at least one opening exists on the matrix surface from which the active substance is released. Active and beneficial agents may include pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, antioxidants, preservatives, catalysts, fermentation agents, nutrients, cosmetics, vitamins, microorganism attenuators and other agents that benefit the environment in which they are used.

Hair treatment compositions incorporating hair-substantive polymers
US Patent 8298519
Publication date: Oct. 30, 2012
Assignee: Conopco Inc. (Englewood Cliffs, NJ, US)

This invention describes a hair treatment composition including a hair-substantive polymer with a backbone bearing the following. a) At least one side chain formed from a hair fiber-targeting group that is covalently linked to the polymeric backbone. Said hair fiber-targeting group is a non-cationic species capable of interacting with the protein surface of the hair fiber in a non-covalent interaction, with a bond energy ranging from 0.5 to 3 Kcal/mol when applied to hair. b) And preferably, at least one side chain that is different from side chain a), and which comprises a hair benefit agent. Compositions of the invention provide for deposition and delivery of benefit agents to hair in a more efficient and targeted manner.

Personal care compositions with improved compatibility that provide improved sun protection
US Patent 8298517
Publication date: Oct. 30, 2012
Assignee: Dow Corning Corp.

According to this invention, formulators are always looking for easier ways to deliver personal care ingredients. Therefore, providing silicone resin in a liquid form allows for easy delivery of the component to the formulation, while the lower molecular weight typical of liquid resins (compared to solid analogues) is entropically favored for enhanced compatibility. The present invention relates to a personal care composition comprising 0.1% to 40% w/w of a liquid silicone resin that provides improved sun protection via its > 50 mole percent Me3SiO1/2 and PrSiC3/2 units; where Me is methyl and Pr is propyl in the composition. If desired, to enable additional compatibility of ingredients in the composition, the liquid silicone resin can also contain PhSiO3/2 or Ph2SiO2/2 units, where Ph is phenyl, or a mixture thereof.

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