Question

Discuss on how to make orally active protein pharmaceutical. What is the major problem to be encountered?

Answer 1

• Orally active protein pharmaceuticals contain biologically active materials such as peptides or proteins, antibodies, and polymeric beads. These proteins or peptides are used for the treatment of various diseases and are also used as vaccines. There are some problems related to it. Once these proteins are ingested, the proteases present in the stomach juices denature the protein. The process to make this protein is
  

1. By putting the proteins in a tablet whose coating is made of a material that does not get digest in stomach acidic medium but dissolves in the intestines thus proteins get absorbed in the intestine by villi.

2. The way around this is to protect the therapeutic protein with a covering that will dissolve after it has passed through the stomach.