Depofoam Technology; Proprietary Technology of Pacira Pharmaceuticals

DepoFoam^® consists of microscopic, spherical, lipid-based particles composed of a honeycomb of numerous, non-concentric, internal aqueous chambers containing the encapsulated drug. Each chamber is separated from adjacent chambers by lipid membranes. Following injection, the DepoFoam particles release the drug over an extended period of time due to erosion and/or reorganization of the lipid membranes. 

DepoFoam permits systemic delivery of medications by releasing the drug into the bloodstream via the interstitial space. Locally, DepoFoam can release the drug into a body compartment, such as a joint.

Both small and large molecule compounds can successfully be encapsulated into DepoFoam, including:

• Traditional injectable pharmaceuticals
• Proteins
• Peptides
• Antisense oligonucleotides
• DNA

DepoFoam has been used in two FDA-approved commercial products, including DepoCyt(e)^® (cytarabine liposome injection), EXPAREL^® (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension).

Reference:

 

http://www.pacira.com