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Skin and Mucosal Delivery (Focus Group – SMD)

Formulation strategies of nanoparticle buccal films for sirolimus delivery: Hydration, Adhesion, and Release

Matthias Wacker – Professor, Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven; Elke Horstkotte – Head of product development, Nucleus Medical GmbH; Kathrin Mühlhölzl – Senior project manager, Fluimed GmbH; Dylan Leong – PhD Student, Pharmacy and Pharmceutical Sciences, National University of Singapore
Introduction:

Buccal films are a promising non-invasive platform for systemic delivery, especially when swallowing is difficult and rapid absorption is needed. For BCS Class II drugs like sirolimus, translation remains challenging because of poor aqueous solubility, hydration-dependent disintegration, and limited mucosal residence, which can restrict performance. Nanoparticle-enabled buccal films offer a combined approach: nanocarriers improve apparent solubility and help maintain supersaturation, while the film matrix controls hydration, mucoadhesion, and drug release. This work outlines strategies for nanoparticle-enabled buccal films for mucosal sirolimus delivery.

Learning Objectives:

  • Define how BCS II drugs challenge buccal delivery because of their solubility and variability limitations.
  • Describe how hydration kinetics govern buccal film mucoadhesion and drug release.
  • Identify key formulation variables such as nanocarrier selection, film matrix composition, and plasticizer level.