Use of hydrophobins in formulation of water insoluble drugs for oral administration

The poor water solubility of many drugs requires a specific formulation to achieve a sufficient bioavailability after oral administration. Suspensions of small drug particles can be used to improve the bioavailability. We here show that the fungal hydrophobin SC3 can be used to make suspensions of water insoluble drugs. Bioavailability of two of these drugs, nifedipine and cyclosporine A (CyA), was tested when administered as a SC3-based suspension. SC3 (in a 1:2 (w/w) drug:SC3 ratio) or 100% PEG400 increased the bioavailability of nifedipine to a similar degree (6+/-2- and 4+/-3-fold, respectively) compared to nifedipine powder without additives. Moreover, SC3 (in a 7:1 (w/w) drug:hydrophobin ratio) was as effective as a 20-fold diluted Neoral formulation by increasing bioavailability of CyA 2.3+/-0.3-fold compared to CyA in water. Interestingly, using SC3 in the CyA formulation resulted in a slower uptake (p<0.001 in T(max)) of the drug, with a lower peak concentration (C(max) 1.8 mg ml(-1)) at a later time point (T(max) 9+/-2 h) compared to Neoral (C(max) 2.2 mg ml(-1); T(max) 3.2+/-0.2). Consequently, SC3 will result in a more constant, longer lasting drug level in the body. Taken together, hydrophobins are attractive candidates to formulate hydrophobic drugs.