The invention relates to novel a high-volume swelling hydrogel which comprises a plurality of pores which are defined by an interpenetrating network, and/or a semi-interpenetrating network and/or simple cross-linked arrangement of a plurality of one or more species of hydrophilic polymers, optionally together with one or more biocompatible polymers and optionally together with one or more plasticising agents, characterised in that at least some of the pores are at least partially collapsed and/or flattened, and further characterised in that the interpenetrating network and/or semi-interpenetrating network and/or cross-linked arrangement which defines the collapsed and/or flattened pores is substantially unbroken. The invention also relates to a process for preparing such hydrogels, and to their use as an appetite suppressant.

An orally dispersible compound, which contains at least one ester or a salt of n-butyric acid, includes a granular material including at least one ester or salt of n-butyric acid and having a first and a second coating, and at least one excipient which is capable of making the granular material orally dispersible. The first coating includes from 20.0% to 99.0% by weight with respect to the first coating of saturated fatty acids with a C.sub.14-C.sub.22 long chain, and the second coating includes at least one thickening agent, the first coating being between the granular material and the second coating.

Controlled release dosage forms are described herein. The controlled release formulations described herein provide prolonged delivery of high dose drugs that are highly water soluble and highly hygroscopic. In specific embodiments, controlled release dosage forms for delivery of a drug selected from GHB and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, tautomers, solvates and complexes of GHB. The controlled release dosage forms described herein may incorporate both controlled release and immediate release formulations in a single unit dosage form.

Controlled release dosage forms are described herein. The controlled release formulations described herein provide prolonged delivery of high dose drugs that are highly water soluble and highly hygroscopic. In specific embodiments, controlled release dosage forms for delivery of a drug selected from GHB and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, tautomers, solvates and complexes of GHB. The controlled release dosage forms described herein may incorporate both controlled release and immediate release formulations in a single unit dosage form.

The present disclosure provides a method for the treatment of Parkinson's disease comprising simultaneously or sequentially administering to a patient in need of treatment of Parkinson's disease a dosage form comprising (i) levodopa in an amount ranging from 50 mg to 300 mg, (ii) carbidopa in an amount ranging from 25 mg to 150 mg or a therapeutically equivalent amount of another aromatic amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor, and (iii) entacapone in an amount ranging from 50 mg to 300 mg, wherein the proportion of entacapone to carbidopa in said dosage form ranges from 0.3:1.0 to 3.2:1.0 by weight, a moderately potent COMT inhibitor in an amount ranging from 25 mg to 200 mg, wherein the proportion of said COMT inhibitor to carbidopa in said dosage form ranges from 0.16:1.0 to 3.08:1.0 by weight, or a highly potent COMT Inhibitor in an amount ranging from 1 mg to 100 mg, wherein the proportion of said COMT inhibitor to carbidopa in said dosage form ranges from 0.006:1.0 to 1.54:1.0 by weight.
Pharmaceutical dosage forms used in said methods are also disclosed.

A delayed release drug formulation includes a core and a coating. The coating includes a mixture of a first material selected from starch; amylose; amylopectin; chitosan; chondroitin sulfate; cyclodextrin; dextran; pullulan; carrageenan; scleroglucan; chitin; curdulan and levan, and a second material which has a pH threshold at about pH 5 or above. The delayed release drug formulation is used to target release of a drug from a core to the intestine, particularly the colon.

A pharmaceutical or nutraceutical composition with a core, an inner coating layer, and an outercoating layer, wherein a pharmaceutical or a nutraceutical active ingredient is contained in the core, one or more salts of alginic acid is contained in the inner coating layer, and one or more water-insoluble polymers or copolymers is contained in the outer coating layer. In the composition, the ratio of the amount of the one or more salts of alginic acid in the inner coating layer is at least 2.5:1 by weight to the amount of the one or more water-insoluble polymers or copolymers in the outer coating layer.

-amino boronic acid derivatives are useful for inhibiting the activity of immunoproteasome (LMP7) and for the treatment and/or prevention of medical conditions affected by immunoproteasome activity such as inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, proliferative diseases and cancer.

The present invention relates to a new delivery system for nutritional ingredients (nutraceuticals). These nutritional ingredients are useful for gut and metabolic health in monogastric animals, especially in humans.

Disclosed are colon-specific delayed-release pharmaceutical compositions comprising: a) a matrix consisting of hydrophilic substances wherein curcumin is dispersed; b) a gastroresistant or acid-resistant pH-independent coating with a lag time of matrix a).