While its appearance is similar to the passive nicotine-replacement patch, the ultra thin band aid-like IsisIQ is an active transdermal drug delivery device.

When Providence, RI-based startup Isis Biopolymer Inc. set out to develop its IsisIQ transdermal drug delivery platform, it faced the same challenges as all other transdermal drug delivery companies.

One of those challenges, a moving target of sorts for all transdermal drug delivery systems, is the skin itself, says Shawna Gvazdauskas, Chief Commercial Officer for Isis.

“We were looking for the best adhesives and films, because we required a combination that was going to be hypoallergenic, cosmetically elegant and adhere to the body for three to seven days. We were seeking materials that are water-resistant to withstand normal daily activities such as showers and perspiration as well as the torque and abrasion of body movement,” she explains.

Design engineers from Isis, Gvazdauskas says, turned to FLEXcon for help in choosing the right product combination to not only ensure application success, but also meet time-to-market demands.

“We worked with their design engineers to make sure they had the right adhesive, taking into consideration everything from torque to perspiration, even body hair,” says Mark Mudgett, the FLEXcon Sales Representative for Isis.

Production of the first commercially available IsisIQ patches began in December 2009, in Providence, RI. , Gvazdauskas says.

Isis Biopolymer’s intelligent, selective barrier membrane allows compounds to be transported or completely blocked from transport through the skin. Their unique single-electrode design eliminates skin irritation, which is common with other transdermal delivery devices. In addition to proprietary technology, IsisIQ uses state-of-the-art Blue Tooth LE, microprocessors, thin film batteries and adhesives.

Isis Biopolymer has developed an innovative and intelligent solution for transdermal drug delivery as well as biosensing, says Emma A. Durand, Founder, CEO and Chief Technology Officer for Isis.

“Breakthroughs in pliable polyester substrate and hydrogels support lower cost development and manufacturing, as well as a more diverse range of delivery of drugs than is currently available. IsisIQ can deliver up to three drugs in one small patch,” she says.

While its appearance is similar to the passive nicotine-replacement patch, the ultra thin band aid-like IsisIQ is an active transdermal drug delivery device. The passive nicotine patch, while effective, combines the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) with the medical-grade adhesive. IsisIQ, however, employs iontophoresis, which involves the application of a small, yet constant electrical-charge that transports an active pharmaceutical ingredient directly into the skin.

Transdermal administration of drugs has assumed an important place in drug therapy, with many of the shortcomings of previous generations of products now being addressed by more portable, user friendly applications.

Brian Bressette, a FLEXcon Technical Service Representative who worked directly with officials at Isis, says the IsisIQ transdermal drug delivery device uses FLEXcon’s dermaFLEX P.E.F. 32 WHITE H-566.

This FLEXcon product combination not only embodies the IsisIQ, it also holds the delivery device in place on the body, allowing Isis Biopolymer’s proprietary technology to make direct contact with skin for iontophoretic, transdermal drug delivery.

IsisIQ uses FLEXmount H-566, a hypoallergenic acrylic adhesive designed for skin that meets United States Pharmacopeial Class 6 requirements for medical grade materials. It also uses FLEXcon’s dermaFLEX white, polyethylene foam coated with the H-566 adhesive and backed with a semi-bleached Kraft release liner. 

An additional FLEXcon adhesive, FLEXmount V-66, is used to encapsulate the Isis Biopolymer’s proprietary iontophoretic and biosensing technology. V-66 is a general purpose, permanent acrylic adhesive with good tack and adhesion to a variety of surfaces. In particular, it exhibits excellent adhesion to cross-linked polyethylene gasketing foam.

Combinations of these FLEXcon products are provided to Isis in the 18-inches-by-24-inches sheet format required by Isis manufacturing process. “Our ability to customize product rolls helps streamline their production process,” says Bressette.

Design engineers, like those from Isis Biopolymer, seek FLEXcon’s materials knowledge, technical capability and applications experience needed to develop innovative solutions that meet the full range of production and end-use challenges.

An application-oriented approach ultimately fuels FLEXcon’s innovative product development, which in turn, has helped solved application problems and met specific criteria for a host of innovation from a variety of industries.

Whether providing an off-the-shelf construction or developing a new adhesive, carrier or liner component, the focus is on the application. In fact, in many cases, the use of an adhesive over more traditional bonding and mounting technologies can be more practical, cost-effective and yield a better product.

Pressure-sensitive, laminating adhesives offer significant advantages over other bonding methods such as screws, rivets and epoxies.

Adhesives exhibit superior thermal expansion capabilities and provide flexibility when different materials need to be bonded together. They are lighter than mechanical fasteners, making them ideal for applications where weight control is critical.

Pressure-sensitive laminating adhesives are very good heat and electrical insulators and provide an environmental seal that protects components from water, chemicals and airborne particles.

They do not require solvents to become activated, making them safe for workers and the environment. Because they do not require expensive application equipment or delivery systems, they help reduce your production costs.

The adhesive, carrier or liner components of the FLEXmount series of laminating adhesives, double-faced and other products are proven performers and can be customized to meet specific application needs.

For more information visit www.flexcon.com