Solid-in-oil dispersion: a novel core technology for drug delivery systems.

Drug delivery systems using a solid-in-oil (S/O) dispersion as a core technology have advanced significantly over the past ten years. A novel, effective and practical preparation method for a S/O dispersion was originally established in 1997 as a tool for enzymatic catalysis in organic media. This oil-based dispersion containing proteins in non-aqueous media had great potential for applications to other research with one of the most successful being its adaptation as a drug delivery system. The history and features of novel processes for preparing S/O dispersions are presented in this article. In addition, recent research into the use of S/O dispersions for innovative oral and skin drug delivery systems is discussed.