Realizing the nanoamorphous state of materials inside nano-porous templates

Inventor:

Professor XU Lei

Category:

N/A

Keywords: N/A

Contact:

Paul Cheung

Office of Research and Knowledge Transfer Services

paulcheung@cuhk.edu.hk

[Licensing negotiation in progress]

[Invitation for Expression of Interest- Deadline: 9 February 2024]

We are inviting expressions of interest (EoI) for commercializing “Realizing the nanoamorphous state of materials inside nano-porous templates” technology.  The innovation is developed by Professor XU Lei, Professor of Department of Physics of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK Reference: 20/SCI/950).

The Technology

By preparing porous templates with nanometer-sized pores, and solidifying desired materials inside such porous templates, we demonstrate a robust method to achieve nano-amophous state of material. When applied to poorly-water-soluble drugs, this method significantly increases their solubility and dissolution rate. The underlying mechanism is the following: due to the spatial constraint of nano-pores, the solidification process cannot reach the critical nucleation size, and thus an amorphous state around nanometer scale naturally forms. Such a nano-amorphous state has a much higher free energy and surface area than its crystalline counterpart, and therefore becomes much more soluble in water or other solvents: the concentrations of our nano-amorphous materials can reach up to several orders of magnitude higher than their crystalline counterparts. In addition, the dissolution rates also increase significantly, which helps to improve the time efficiency of the drugs. These amazing properties may substantially enhance the bioavailability of poorly-soluble drugs. Moreover, because this method is a physical process without any modification on chemical components, it may universally apply to many different poorly-soluble materials. From practical point of view, it can also be easily scaled up and suitable for large-scale manufacturing. Besides amorphous drugs, this method also opens up a new direction to achieve nano-amorphous state without fast temperature quenching, and may find broad applications in making other amorphous materials, including but not limited to metallic glasses, amorphous ice, etc.

Commercialization

The technology is now available for licensing on an exclusive basis.  In order to fully realize the benefit of the technology, we expect substantial investment is necessary to enable further research and development.  In addition to the financial commitment, the licensee is expected to have the appropriate expertise as well as plans in marketing and strategizing the end product to ensure successful transfer of the technology to the society.  Previous or existing business involvement and experience in this area is a plus.

This invitation of expression of interest is without prejudice.  We also stress that this invitation is not a tender, and the University is not bound to accept any offer, or to accept the highest monetary offer, as there are additional considerations (such as the widest possible benefit to the community) that we, as a public institution, will need to take into consideration.