CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/540, 145, filed August 2, 2017, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for improving deliver}' of topical actives and, more specifically, systems and methods for improving delivery of topical actives by using polymers to tension the skin.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Wrinkles, flabbiness and other skin changes are common as a person ages. For those that are most concerned with these signs of aging, anti-wrinkle agents, moisturizers, and the like, may be used to prevent the deformation of skin, some of which even promise to reverse existing aging signs. However, such topically-applied agents may not be fully effective due to difficulty in skin penetration, making it difficult to ensure that the agents are present in amounts sufficient to obtain wrinkle prevention effects.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for systems and methods for improved delivery of topical agents to an area of skin.

SUMMARY

[0005] In one aspect, a system for improving the delivery of one or more topical actives includes at least one polymer effective to mechanically tension an area of skin to which the system is applied and the one or more topical actives,

[0006] In another aspect, a method for improving the delivery of one or more topical actives includes applying to an area of skin a composition including at least one polymer effective to mechanically tension an area of skin and the one or more topical actives. The one or more topical actives are delivered to the area of skin at an improved rate or to improved depths as compared to a rate or depth of delivery achieved by application of the one or more topical actives applied to the area of skin alone.

[0007] These and additional features provided by the aspects described herein will be more fully understood in view of the following detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] Various aspects provide a system for improving delivery of one or more topical actives to the skin of a subject where the system includes at least one polymer effective to mechanically tension an area of skin to which the system is applied and optionally one or more topical actives. The polymer effective to mechanically tension the area of skin may be an acrylate copolymer. In various aspects, the topical actives are delivered to the area of skin at an improved rate or to an improved depths as compared to a rate or depths of delivery achieved by application of the one or more topical actives applied to the area of skin alone.

[0009] The system includes at least one polymer that is effective to mechanically tension an area of skin to which the system is applied. Without being limited to one particular theory, a polymer as provided undergoes a contraction after application to the skin such as due to water loss in the polymer or other activity. The contraction causes a tension to the skin as the polymer is adhered to the skin surface. This tension is believed to increase the accessibility of the active to the intercellular space within the skin so that more effective delivery to skin depths is achieved.

[0010] As used herein, "polymer" encompasses polymers produced from at least two identical or different monomers and could include polymers having more than two comonomers such as terpolymers, tetrapolymers, etc. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the combination of the polymer to tension the area of skin along with one or more topical actives may increase delivery of the topical active by tensioning the skin ceils to enable the topical active(s) to contact and enter the intercellular spaces in the skin. In some aspects, the polymer may be an acrylate copolymer. Although acrylate copolymers are specifically described herein as being suitable for use in various aspects, other polymers are contemplated, provided they are effective to mechanically tension the skin.

[0011] In certain aspects, the polymer may have a backbone and a plurality of pendant groups thereon that are pendant ionic or ionizable groups, or pendant groups having at least one permanent dipole that may include an alcohol, thiol, ester, amide, imide, imine, or nitrile moiety. The pendant groups attached to the main polymer chain can be present in the monomer(s) at the time of polymerization, or they can be formed by post-polymerization reaction, for example post-polymerization salification or hydrolysis of a salifiable or hydrolysabie functional group that was present as, or as part of, a substituent on the monomer(s) at the time of polymerization.

[0012] The polymer optionally comprises a tensing polymer, such as a random linear copolymer. Optionally, the tensing polymers may include copolymers of methyl methacrylate/methacrylic acid, copolymers of methyl methacrylate/acrylic acid; copolymers of ethyl methacrylate/methacrylic acid; copolymers of ethyl methacrylate/acrylic acid; copolymers of isobutyl methacrylate/methacrylic acid; copolymers of acrylates/dimemylaminoethyl methacrylate; copolymers of isobutyl methacrylate/acrylic acid; copolymers of benzyl methacrylate/methacrylic acid; copolymers of benzyl methacrylate/acrylic acid; copolymers of benzyl acrylate/methacryiic acid; copolymers of benzyl acrylate/acrylic acid; copolymers of cyclohexyl methacrylate/ methacrylic acid; copolymers of cyciohexyi methacrylate/acrylic acid; copolymers of cyclohexyl acrylate/methacryiic acid; copolymers of cyclohexyl acrylate/acrylic acid, copolymers of tert-butyl methacrylate/methacrylic acid; copolymers of tert-butyl methacrylate/acrylic acid; copolymers of tert-butyl acrylate/methacryiic acid; copolymers of tert- butyl acrylate/acrylic acid; copolymers of isobomyi methacrylate/ methacrylic acid; copolymers of isobornyl methacrylate/acrylic acid; copolymers of isobornyl acrylate/met acrylic acid; copolymers of isobornyl acryl ate/acrylic acid; copolymers of norbornyl methacrylate/ methacrylic acid; copolymers of norbornyl methacrylate/acrylic acid, copolymers of norbornyl acrylate/methacrylic acid; copolymers of norbornyl acrylate/acrylic acid; copolymers of styrene/methacrylic acid; copolymers of styrene/acrylic acid; and combinations thereof.

[0013] Additional polymers may also include polymers described in U.S. Patent No. 9,724,363, Such polymers may include at least one alkenyl functionalized organopolysiloxane, wherein the at least one alkenyl functionalized organopolysiloxane comprises vinyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane; vinyl terminated diphenyl siioxane-dimethyisiioxane copolymers; vinyl terminated polyphenylmethylsiloxane, vinylphenylmethyl terminated vinylphenylsiloxane- phenylmethylsiloxane copolymer; vinyl terminated trifluoropropylmethylsiloxane- dimethylsiloxane copolymer; vinyl terminated diethyl siloxane-dimethylsiloxane copolymer; vinylmethyisiioxane-dimethylsiloxane copolymer, trimethylsiloxy terminated; vinylmethylsiloxane-dimethylsiloxane copolymers, silanol terminated; vinylmethylsiloxane- dimethylsiloxane copolymers, vinyl terminated; vinyl gums; vinylmethylsiloxane homopolymers; vinyl T-structure polymers; monovinyl terminated polydimethylsiloxanes; vinylmethylsiloxane terpolymers; vinyimethoxysilane homopolymers; and combinations thereof.

[0014] In some particular aspects, the polymer may be an acryl ate copolymer, such as polyacrylate-21 and copolymers of acryl ates/dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate. Such polymers are commercially available as SYNTRAN® PC 5100, from Interpolymer Corporation. The polymer may also comprise combinations or derivations of any of the aforementioned polymers or copolymers.

[0015] In some aspects, the polymer may be included in the system in any suitable amount from about 0.0001 wt% to about 99.99 wt% based on a total weight of the composition. Optionally, the polymer is present at a weight percent of 99.99, 99.9, 99.5, 99, 98.5, 98, 97.5, 97, 96.5, 96, 95.5, 95, 90, 85, 80, 75, 70, 65, 60, 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 9, 8, /, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0,5, 0.1, 0.01, 0.001, 0.0001, or any level in between or any range between 99.99% and 0.0001 % by weight. Optionally, the polymer is present in the amount of between about 10% to about 30% by weight, between about 15% to about 25% by weight, or at about 20% by weight based on the total weight of the composition,

[0016] The system optionally further includes one or more topical actives, but aspects without such a topical active are also provided. The topical active may be, for example, a moisturizer, a retinoid, a peptide or modified peptide, or other composition that has a physiological effect on the skin of as subject or a cell within the skin of a subject. In aspects in which the topical active includes a retinoid, the retinoid may be, by way of example and not limitation, retinal, retinoic acid, retinyl ester, retinol, tretinoin or esters or amides thereof, isotretinoin or esters or amides thereof, adapalene, tazarotene, alitretinoin, etretinate, acitretin, adapalene, bexarotene, or tazarotene, combinations thereof, or derivatives thereof. Specific examples of retinoids include those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,837,728, 4,677,120 and 4,885,311 , One specific example of a derivative of vitamin A is hydroxypinacolone retinoate. In aspects in which the topical active includes a moisturizer, the moisturizer may be, by way of example and not limitation, propylene glycol, allantoin, acetamine MEA, oat protein, hyaluronic acid, combinations thereof, or derivatives thereof. Other active ingredients, such as UV blocking agents, antimicrobial agents, anti-wrinkle agents, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, and the like may further be included as topical actives, depending on the particular aspect. Still other actives are contemplated, provided they are effective when applied to a bodily surface, such as an area of skin,

[0017] In certain aspects, a topical active is a peptides or modified peptide. A peptide or modified peptide optionally has from 1 to 50 amino acids or any value or range therebetween. Optionally, a peptide includes from 1 to 7 amino acids, Amino acids present in a peptide optionally include the common amino acids alanine, cysteine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, phenylalanine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, lysine, leucine, methionine, asparagine, proline, glutamine, arginine, serine, threonine, valine, tryptophan, and tyrosine as well as less common naturally occurring amino acids, modified amino acids or synthetic compounds, such as aipha- asparagine, 2-aminobutanoic acid or 2-aminobutyric acid, 4-aminobutyric acid, 2-aminocapric acid (2-aminodecanoic acid), 6-aminocaproic acid, alpha-glutamine, 2-aminoheptanoic acid, 6- aminohexanoic acid, alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (2-aminoalanine), 3-aminoisobutyric acid, beta- alanine, allo-hydroxylysine, allo-isoleucine, 4-amino-7-methylheptanoic acid, 4-amino-5- phenylpentanoic acid, 2-aminopimelic acid, gamma-amino-beta-hydroxybenzenepentanoic acid, 2-aminosuberie acid, 2-carboxyazetidine, beta-alanine, beta-aspartic acid, biphenylalanine, 3,6- diaminohexanoic acid, butanoic acid, cyclobutyl alanine, cyclohexylalanine, cyclohexylglycine, N5-aminocarbonylomithine, cyclopentyl alanine, cyclopropyl alanine, 3-sulfoalanine, 2,4- diaminobutanoic acid, diaminopropionic acid, 2,4-diaminobutyric acid, diphenyl alanine, N,N- dimethyi glycine, diaminopimelic acid, 2,3-diaminopropanoic acid, S-ethylthiocysteine, N- ethylasparagine, ^' N -ethyl glycine, 4-aza-phenylalanine, 4-fluoro-phenylalanine, gamma-glutamic acid, gamma-carboxyglutamic acid, hydroxyacetic acid, pyroglutamic acid, homoarginine, homocvsteic acid, homocysteine, homohistidine, 2-hydroxyisovaieric acid, homophenyiaianine, homoleucine, homoproline, homoserine, homoserine, 2-hydroxypentanoic acid, 5-hydroxyIysine, 4-hydroxy proline, 2-carboxyoctahydroindole, 3-carboxyisoquinoline, isovaline, 2- hydroxypropanoic acid (lactic acid), mercaptoacetic acid, mercaptobutanoic acid, sarcosine, 4- methyl-3-hydroxyproline, mercaptopropanoic acid, norleucine, nipecotic acid, nortyrosine, norvaline, omega-amino acid, ornithine, penicillamine (3-mercaptovaline), 2-phenylglycine, 2- carboxypiperidine, sarcosine ( -methylglycine), 2-amino-3-(4-sulfophenyl)propionic acid, l - amino-l-carboxycyclopentane, 3-thienylalanine, epsilon-N-trimethyllysine, 3-thiazolylalanine, thiazolidine 4-carboxylic acid, alpha-amino-2,4-dioxopyrimidinepropanoic acid, and 2- naphthylalanine.

[0018] Optionally, the topical active is a modified peptide. In certain aspects, the peptide modified is by the addition of a fatty acid, optionally a fatty acid with an alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl linear or branched group of 5 to 25 carbons in length. Optionally, the fatty acid is a naturally occurring fatty acid. In some aspects the modified peptide may be palmitoyl tripeptide- 1 or palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7. An illustrative commercial example of a modified peptide is MATRIXYL® 3000, from Sederma.

[0019] In aspects, the topical active may be included in the system in any suitable amount from about ί wt% to about 99 wt% based on a total weight of the composition, depending on the particular aspect. Optionally, the topical active is present at a weight percent of 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21 , 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.5, 0.1, 0.01, 0.001, 0.0001, or any level in between or any range between 30% and 0.0001% by weight. Optionally, the topical active is present in the amount of between about 10% to about 30% by weight, between about 15% to about 25% by weight, or at about 20% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

[0020] A topical active is optionally present in a composition at a relative molar ratio to the polymer. The relative molar ratio of polymer to topical active may be in the range of from about 99.99:0.01 to 0.01 :99.99. In other aspects, the relative molar ratio of the topical active to a polymer may in the range of from about 99.9:0.1 to 0.1 :99.9, 99.5:0.5 to 0.5:99.5, 99: 1 to 1 :99, 98.5: 1.5 to 1.5:98.5, 98:2 to 2:98, 97.5:2.5 to 2.5:97.5, 97:3 to 3 :97, 96:4 to 4:96, 95:5 to 5:95, 90: 10 to 10:90, 80:20 to 20:80, 70:30 to 30:70, 60:40 to 40:60, 50:50, or any ratio in between 99.99:0,01 and 0,01 :99.99 by weight,

[0021] In various aspects, the polymer and the one or more topical actives may be combined into a composition for topical application to an area of skin on an individual. For example, the polymer and the one or more topical actives may be mixed together, with or without additional ingredients, to form a cream, foam, gel, lotion, or ointment. Additional ingredients may include, as non-limiting examples, preservatives, antimicrobial agents, antifungal agents, antibacterial agents, or the like. In still other aspects, the polymer and one or more topical actives may further be combined with a hydrogel.

[0022] Optionally, the polymer and topical active may be included in a hydrogel. A hydrogel is polymeric material that is substantially interfiled with water or other aqueous or nonaqueous fluid. In various aspects, the hydrogel may include a network of hydrophiiic polymer chains dispersed in water. In various aspects, the hydrogel may include over 50%, over 60%, over 70%, over 80%, or even over 90% water. The hydrogel polymers are not particularly limited, although in various aspects, the hydrogel is a photo-curable hydrogel . Optionally, hydrogel polymer is a naturally occurring polymer or a synthetic polymer. Illustrative examples of natural hydrogel polymers include, but are not limited to chitosan, dextran, hyaluronic acid, and alginate. Illustrative examples of synthetic hydrogel s include but are not limited to hydrogels comprising monomers of vinyl acetate, acryl amide, ethylene glycol, and lactic acid. Illustrative examples of synthetic hydrophiiic polymers include polyethylene oxide, polyphenylene ether, polyphenyiene oxide, and polyethylene glycol, or a combination thereof. In some aspects, the hydrogel polymer is present at a weight percent of from 25, 24, 23, 22, 21 , 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 , 0,5, 0, 1 , 0,01, 0.001, 0.0001 , or any level in between or any range between 25% and 0.0001 % by weight. Optionally, the hydrogel polymer is present in the amount of between about 0.1% to about 10% by weight, between about 1% to 9% by weight, between about 2% to about 7% by weight, between about 3%> to 6% by weight, or at about 5%> by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

[0023] In some aspects, the system may be in the form of a patch formed of the composition including the polymer and optionally the one or more topical actives. The topical active may, for example, be applied to a surface of the patch, or may be otherwise infused into a thickness of the patch. In some aspects, the composition may be incorporated into the system during formation of the patch by mixing the system and the one or more topical actives with the components for manufacturing the patch. Other methods of applying the composition to the patch are contemplated. Optionally, the polymer, hydrophilic polymer, active, peptide or modified peptide or any combination thereof may be applied to a substrate for storage and final application to a desired site of action. A substrate may be any film or other surface with suitable properties to allow for proper storage, shape retention, application or other desired property or combination thereof.

[0024] In aspects in which the composition is applied as a patch, an area of skin to be treated with the composition may be contacted with the surface of the patch. Alternatively, in aspects not in the form of a patch, the composition may be applied to the area of skin using an applicator. The applicator may be, for example, a sponge, brush, finger, or the like. The area of skin to which the composition is applied is not particularly limited and may be, for example, an area on a face (e.g., eye, area immediately under or beside the eye, cheek, forehead, etc.), an arm, or a chest, a leg, or any component of an arm or leg such as a knee or triceps area, or a stomach or back region, although other body parts are also contemplated.

[0025] In vari ous aspects, upon application of the composition to the area of skin, the one or more topical actives are delivered to the area of skin. In particular, in aspects in which the topical active is applied to an area of skin along with the polymer, the topical active is delivered to the area of skin at an improved (i.e., faster) rate or to a greater depth, or in greater amounts as compared to a rate, depth, or amount of delivery achieved when the one or more topical actives are applied to the area of skin alone or as part of a composition that does not include the polymer. For example, a Franz diffusion ceil model may be used to determine the rate of deliveiy of the topical active. [0026] It is noted that the terms "substantially" and "about" may be utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. These terms are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue.

[0027] While particular aspects have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0028] Various aspects of the present invention are illustrated by the following non-limiting examples. The examples are for illustrative purposes and are not a limitation on any practice of the present disclosure. It will be understood that variations and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

EXAMPLES

[0029] For all of the following examples, ail ingredients are combined in a stainless steel container with mixing propeller and mixed at room temperature until a uniform mixture is created. Example 1:

[0030] A topical active delivery composition is formulated to include the following ingredients in proportions listed in Table 1 as Formula A. The polymer and peptide or modified peptide, or active may be combined in an inert, optionally stainless steel, container and intermixed such as by propeller mixing at room temperature until a uniform mixture is created. Once uniformity is achieved, the mixture may then be combined with or polymerized into a hydrophilic polymer in water (e.g. hydrogel) to achieve a final formation. Illustrative exemplary formulations may be:

Table 1 : Formula A

L] A topical active delivery composition is fonnulated to include the following ingredients in proportions listed in Table 2 as Formula B.

Table 2; Formula B

[0032] A topical active delivery composition is formulated to include the following ingredients in proportions listed in Table 3 as Formula C.

Table 3: Formula C

[0033] A topical active delivery composition is formulated to include the following ingredients in proportions listed in Table 4 as Formula D,

Table 4: Formula D

[0036] A topical active delivery composition is formulated to include the following ingredients in proportions listed in Table 6 as Formula F.

Table 6: Formula F

Polyacrylate-21 10%

Acryl ates/Dimethyl aminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer 10%

Retinyl ester 4.5%

Water q.s. to 100%

[0037] A topical active delivery composition is formulated to include the following ingredients in proportions listed in Table 7 as Formula G, Table 7: Formula G

8] A topical active deliver}' composition is fonnulated to include the following ingredients in proportions listed in Table 8 as Formula H. Table 8: Formula H

[0039] A topical active delivery composition is formulated to include the following ingredients in proportions listed in Table 8 as Formula H.

Table 8: Formula H

A topical active deliver}' composition is fonnulated to include the following ingredients in proportions listed in Table 9 as Formula I.

Table 9; Formula I

A topical active delivery composition is formulated to include the following ingredients in proportions listed in Table 10 as Formula J.

Table 10: Formula J

[0042] A topical active delivery composition is formulated to include the following ingredients in proportions listed in Table 11 as Formula K. Table 11: Formula K

Ingredient Amount in weight percent

Polyethylene Glycol 5%

Polyacrylate-21 30%

Acryl ates/Dimethyl ammoethyl Methacrvlate Copolymer 30%

Retinol 5%

Water q.s. to 100%

[0043] A topical active delivery composition is formulated to include the followi ingredients in proportions listed in Table 12 as Formula L. Table 12: Formula L

Ingredient Amount in weight percent

Polyethylene Glycol 5%

Polyacrylate-21 40%

Acrylates Di m ethylami noethyl Methacry 1 ate Copol ymer 40%

Palmi toyl tri pepti de- 1 0.5%

Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 0.5%

Retinol 5%

Water q.s. to 100%

[0044] A topical active delivery composition is formulated to include the following ingredients in proportions listed in Table 13 as Formula M. Table 13: Formula M

Ingredient Amount in weight percent

Polyethylene Oxide 5%

Polyacrylate-21 40%

Acryl ates/Dimethyl aminoethyl Methacrvlate Copolymer 40%

Palmitoyl tri peptide- 0.5%

Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 0.5%

Retinol

Water q.s. to 100% [0045] A topical active deliver}' composition is formulated to include the following ingredients in proportions listed in Table 14 as Formula .

Table 14: Formula N

[0046] Various aspects of the present disclosure are illustrated by the following non-limiting examples. The examples are for illustrative purposes and are not a limitation on any practice of the present disclosure. It will be understood that variations and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Materials illustrated herein are obtained from commercial sources unless otherwise indicated.

[0047] Various modifications of the present disclosure, in addition to those shown and described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0048] Patents and publications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Each patent, application or publication is incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual patent, application or publication was specifically and individually stated as incorporated herein by reference for the specific teaching for with each reference is cited and additionally for entirety of their contents including text, figures, and references. Citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. [0049] The foregoing description is illustrative of particular aspects of the disclosure, but is not meant to be a limitation upon the practice thereof.