Elan Drug Technologies

The Elan Drug Technologies' MatriX Drug Absorption System (MXDAS^®  Technology), formulates drug in a hydrophillic matrix, made up of a proprietary blend of polymers, which controls the drug’s rate of release through a process of diffusion and erosion in the gastrointestinal tract.

Benefits offered by the MXDAS^®  technology include:

• controlled absorption over a period
• targeted delivery to absorption sites
• simple process for controlling release of drug substances
• can be formulated using conventional equipment and processing methods
• robust formulation, highly resistant to release inconsistencies and dose dumping
• flexible range of profiles achievable

The MXDAS^®  Drug Absorption System involves the incorporation of one or more hydrophilic matrix-forming polymers into a solid oral drug dosage form, to act as a mechanism for controlling the release of the active ingredient(s).

These polymers, when in contact with the contents of the gastrointestinal tract, absorb liquid and swell forming a viscous gel. Drug then diffuses out through this viscous mass, or is exposed to the gastric fluid by polymer erosion to release drug in a controlled manner over a pre-determined time period. Tablets manufactured using MXDAS^® technology present as unit dose, controlled/modified release tablets, which are produced by direct compression and/or granulation.

The release of drug from this system is a dynamic process, comprised of polymer wetting, polymer hydration, and polymer dissolution.

1. Upon contact with fluid of the gastrointestinal fluids, the tablet surface wets and the hydrophilic polymer begins to partially hydrate, forming a hydrated gel layer around the tablet.
2. Expansion of the gel layer occurs as fluid permeates into the tablet, increasing the thickness of the gel layer, allowing drug to diffuse out through this layer.
3. Tablet erosion occurs when the outer layer becomes fully hydrated and is released into the gastric fluids. Water permeates toward the tablet core concurrently.
4. Soluble drug is released largely by diffusion from the gel layer and by exposure through tablet erosion.

Aspects of Elan Drug Technologies’ MXDAS^®  drug delivery technology are protected in the form of individual formulation patents. Elan Drug Technologies’ expertise in the selection of the optimum polymer mix, and advanced controlled release system selection means that within the general parameters of MXDAS^® delivery approach, each individual formulation is specific to the product and the desired delivery profile.


The above data shows how the MXDAS^® drug delivery system can provide a variety of release profiles by modifying the polymer load as observed here by isosorbide mononitrate. The MXDAS^® technology was used to develop Acorda’s dalfampridine product was filed with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval for symptoms associated with Multiple Sclerosis in May 2009. Dalfampridine was approved in January 2010 in the US under the trade name Ampyra™ to improve walking ability in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and was subsequently launched in March 2010.