# US 8,784,851 B2 · Topical formulations containing sporopollenin > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,784,851 B2 - Document ID: US8784851B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/996,948 - Filed: 2006-07-27 - Published: 2008-12-18 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2005-07-28 - Assignees: University of Hull - Applicants: Stephen Lawrence Atkin; Stephen Thomas Beckett; Grahame Mackenzie - Inventors: Stephen Lawrence Atkin; Stephen Thomas Beckett; Grahame Mackenzie - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8784851B2 ## CPC - G06Q 30/0265: {Vehicular advertisement} - A23B 2/733: Compounds of undetermined constitution obtained from animals or plants - A61K 8/11: Encapsulated compositions - A61K 8/9706: Algae - A61K 8/9728: Fungi, e.g. yeasts - A61K 8/9767: Pinaceae [Pine family], e.g. pine or cedar - A61K 8/9789: Magnoliopsida [dicotyledons] - A61K 9/5063: {Compounds of unknown constitution, e.g. material from plants or animals (oils, fats, waxes, shellac A61K9/5015)} - A61K 36/00: Medicinal preparations of undetermined constitution containing material from algae, lichens, fungi or plants, or derivatives thereof, e.g. traditional herbal medicines {(antigens from pollen A61K39/36)} - A61P 39/06: Free radical scavengers or antioxidants - A61Q 19/00: Preparations for care of the skin - A61K 2800/522: Antioxidants; Radical scavengers - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - A23B: PRESERVATION OF FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES - A61K: PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D) - A61P: SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS - A61Q: SPECIFIC USE OF COSMETICS OR SIMILAR TOILETRY PREPARATIONS ## Abstract Topical formulation containing an active substance which is chemically or physically bound to, or encapsulated within, an exine shell of a naturally occurring spore. The active substance can be released from the exine shell on application to a living or non-living surface. The invention may be used to provide gradual release of an active substance over a period of time subsequent to application of the formulation to the surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A topical formulation which takes the form of a lotion, cream, ointment, paste, gel, foam or powder, the formulation comprising an active substance which is chemically or physically bound to, or encapsulated within exine shells of naturally occurring spores, wherein the majority of the exine shells are at least 90% intact, further wherein the active substance can be released by one or repeated applications of manual pressure to the exine shells, and wherein the active substance is not a substance that is intended for and/or capable of systemic delivery. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A topical formulation according to claim 1, wherein the active substance is selected from pharmaceutically active substances, antimicrobially active substances, cosmetic substances, toiletry substances, disinfectants, detergents and other cleaning agents, adhesives, and dyes. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A topical formulation according to claim 2, wherein the active substance is selected from pharmaceutically active substances, cosmetic substances and toiletry substances. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A topical formulation according to claim 1, wherein the active substance comprises a volatile substance. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A topical formulation according to claim 4, wherein the active substance comprises a fragrance. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A topical formulation according to claim 1, wherein the active substance comprises a lipid or lipid-like substance, or is present in a lipid vehicle. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A topical formulation according to claim 1, which comprises two or more populations of active substance-containing intact or substantially intact exine shells, each chemically or physically bound to, or encapsulating, a different active substance. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A topical formulation according to claim 1, wherein the active substance is at least partially encapsulated within the exine shells. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A topical formulation according to claim 1, wherein the majority of exine shells have a diameter of from 1 to 300 μm. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A topical formulation according to claim 1, wherein the exine shells additionally comprise all or part of the cellulose intine layer from the naturally occurring spore. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A topical formulation according to claim 1, which comprises an active substance and exine shells at a weight ratio of from 0.1:1 to 33:1. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A topical formulation according to claim 1, wherein the exine shells are coated with a barrier layer, the barrier layer comprising a coating material which can melt, break or otherwise change on topical application so as to allow release of the active substance. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A topical formulation according to claim 12, wherein the coating material is solid under the normal storage conditions for the formulation, but melts at a higher temperature at which it is topically applied. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) A topical formulation according to claim 12, wherein the barrier layer comprises a lipid coating material. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A product comprising a topical formulation according to claim 1. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A product according to claim 15, which comprises two or more substances, at least one of them being an active substance which is encapsulated within, or chemically or physically bound to, the exine shells of the naturally occurring spores. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A product according to claim 16, wherein the substance which is encapsulated within, or chemically or physically bound to, the exine shells is a fragrance. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A method for producing the topical formulation of claim 1, the method comprising (a) providing exine shells of naturally occurring spores, wherein the majority of the exine shells are at least 90% intact; and (b) encapsulating the active substance in the shell, or chemically or physically binding the active substance to the shell.