Iodine is an essential component of the thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3) and is critical for normal thyroid function and growth.  The problem of iodine deficiency is especially serious for pregnant women and young children. During pregnancy, even a mild deficiency of iodine can reduce brain development of the fetus limiting the intellectual ability of an individual for life.  In the developing infant, adequate iodine status is particularly important for central nervous system maturation and neurodevelopment.  The addition of iodine to table salt has reduced this problem in the wealthier nations, but iodine deficiency remains a serious public health problem in the developing world.  Even in wealthier nations, patients who suffer from ion limited absorption, such as infants with short bowel syndrome, struggle with iodine deficiency.  Currently, the commercially available iodide products are potassium iodide (solution or tablet), and Iodopen (a parenteral iodide product).

The Technology Solution

To alleviate the hardship for infants who have complicated absorption problems, Dr.’s Almoazen, Helms and Crill are developing a transdermal delivery system for iodide utilizing a nanoemulsion colloidal technology system.  They are currently investigating iodide nanoemulsion formulations that exhibit the most efficient skin permutation and have the greatest stability.  The formulations are composed of four components - water, oil, surfactants and cosurfactants - all of which are regarded as safe for patients.

Benefits                                                                                  

·        Offers sustained drug delivery over substantial periods of time

·        Non-invasive

·        Potential for use in infants, children and adults

Patent

PCT Application PCT/US13/31052

The Inventors

Dr. Hassan Almoazen – is an Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutics.  Dr. Almoazen’s research is focused on improving solubility and stability of drugs in dosage forms. A special emphasis is placed on understanding the mechanism of molecular degradation and the contributing factors leading to the instability of molecules. Techniques proposed to improve stability and solubility of drug molecules are complexation, cocrystal formation, altering crystal structure and incorporating the drug in colloidal dispersions such as micelles and emulsions.

Dr. Richard Helms - is Professor and Chair of Clinical Pharmacy at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. His research interests are amino acid and fatty acid metabolism in the neonate and infant, cysteine dosing in the pre-term neonate, carnitine effects on neonatal morbidities, and amino acid requirements in home parenteral nutrition patients.

Dr. Catherine Crill – is an Associate Professor of Clinical Pharmacy and Director, Parenteral Nutrition Support Service, Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center.