Emzaloid
An Emzaloid approaching the cell membrane
Diclofenac
The Emzaloid™ is in the process of entrapping fluorescently labeled water soluble diclofenac. It is very small (diameter smaller than 30nm) and the membrane packing is sponge-like.
Oral administration
A micrograph illustrates the formation of small pro-Emzaloid™ from a MeyerZall formulation and is used for some oral administrations.
The reservoir
The reservoir contains multiple particles of coal tar. The reservoir has a large loading “Emzaloid” capacity to surface area and is a good entrapper of insoluble compounds. General size is 1µm.
ABOUT

Meyer Zall Laboratories Pty Ltd (“MeyerZall”) operates in the pharmaceutical industry with particular involvement in the development and international distribution of its patented products. The company was established in 1992 when it discovered what was later to be known as a unique therapeutic system that can be used for various applications, the most pertinent currently being drug delivery. The company outsources the majority of activities such as Manufacturing, Sales, Research and Development, Marketing and Distribution.

During 1999, MeyerZall raised capital from AMB Private Equity Partners Limited (“AMB”), a black empowerment private equity firm, in order to fund a research and development (“R&D”) campaign that was used to add credibility to its products and enhance the understanding of its technology. The R&D culminated in the discovery of a unique therapeutic or delivery system, referred to as Emzaloid™ technology. This technology is used in the formulation of all MeyerZall products. Wide and far reaching findings emerging from research on the MeyerZall therapeutic system indicate that the Emzaloid™ has widespread applicability in disease treatment and has the potential to deliver agents to organelle and tissue types. The Emzaloid™ technology seems to be able to entrap most known active agents, its application in the industry is potentially limitless and includes such areas as tuberculosis (“TB”), malaria, anti-Aids therapy, gene delivery, as well as generic medications. By using tried and tested  active pharmaceutical ingredients one can add value by helping to reduce unwanted side effects and improving clinical efficacy.

The potential of the MeyerZall therapeutic system was further unlocked with the development of the pro-emzaloid technology. This development opened the door to develop oral and other systemic medications and the potential to compete in any blockbuster market. Whilst one area of focus is to develop oral medications, MeyerZall continues to develop and improve on its range of exceptional topical preparations. The growth in the Emzaloid™  technology that occurred during the development of oral and other medications has contributed to the company’s growing understanding of the value of Exorex (Linotar), Athru-Derm , Covarex, Emza and other products.

In December 2003 MeyerZall entered into an agreement with Northwest University (NWU), formerly the Potchefstroom University for Higher Education. The University is the pre-eminent pharmacy school in South Africa and the University acquired the patented intellectual property of MeyerZall whilst the company retained the right to market selected new products developed by NWU.

The unique Emzaloid™ pharmaceutical active ingredient carrier system was discovered, investigated and refined by MeyerZall Laboratories at their laboratories on the premises of the George Campus of the Nelson Mandela University. The Emzaloid™ is capable of entrapping active pharmaceutical ingredients within its natural fatty acid membrane and thus accelerating absorption of the active pharmaceutical through human and animal skin and mucous membranes. As a consequence the penetration and efficacy of the product in oral and dermal use is substantially enhanced.

MeyerZall realising that the extremely high cost of pharmaceutical research and  its own capabilities would preclude the optimal development of the Emzaloid™ technology, entered into an agreement with the Pharmacy Faculty of the North-West University at Potchefstroom, whereby the latter undertook to widen and deepen the research field further so that the potential of Emzaloid™ could be fully exploited.

This agreement enables NWU to also conclude research and development agreements with independent third parties.

To date, more than 100 Masters and Doctor’s degrees have  been awarded to  students who have studied Emzaloid™ or  Pheroid™ technology (as the University prefers to call it).  Research areas relate to improved absorption of insulin; anti-retroviral drugs; anti-tubercolosis drugs such as rifampicin and isoniazid; acyclovir; ketoconazole; niacinamide; recombinant human growth hormone; calcitonin; salicylic acid; malaria drugs such as mefloquin, artemeter, artemisinin; antibiotics; anti-inflammatories drugs; vaccines such as rabies; etc. Other research areas relate to Emzaloid™/Pheroid™ stability, analytical methods, optimized production methods, etc.

The University was granted two multi-million awards from the Innovation Fund to study and develop products used for the treatment of TB and drug-resistant Malaria. Research results from a collaboration with the Swiss Tropical Institute has shown promising initial results with the use of  Emzaloid™/Pheroid™  in the treatment of drug-resistant malaria.

Emzaloid™/Pheroid™  has been successfully used as a carrier to stimulate plant growth in the agriculture industry. The CSIR in collaboration with the University is researching the use of Emzaloid™/Pheroid™  as a light-harvesting complex to act as a “battery” for nano-machines.

For further information on the Pheroid ™  research conducted by NWU go to www.health-sciences.nwu.ac.za/pcddp/research