Description

Tirzepatide Oral Capsules with SNAC Technology

Revolutionary Oral GLP-1/GIP Delivery

Our tirzepatide capsules represent a breakthrough in peptide therapeutics—delivering the full power of injectable tirzepatide through a simple oral capsule. Using enteric coating combined with SNAC (sodium N-[8-(2-hydroxybenzoyl) amino] caprylate) absorption enhancement, we’ve solved the fundamental challenge of oral peptide delivery.

---

Why Oral Peptides Have Been Difficult

Peptides like tirzepatide face two major barriers when taken orally. First, stomach acid and digestive enzymes rapidly degrade the peptide structure before absorption can occur. Second, even if a peptide survives the stomach, it struggles to cross the intestinal epithelium—the tightly-packed cell layer designed to keep large molecules out of the bloodstream.

Traditional oral delivery of a 4.8 kDa peptide like tirzepatide would result in negligible bioavailability, making injection the only viable route—until now.

---

How Our Dual-Technology System Works

Enteric Coating: Gastric Protection

The outer enteric coating remains intact in the acidic environment of the stomach (pH 1.5–3.5), protecting the tirzepatide payload from pepsin degradation and acid hydrolysis. Once the capsule reaches the small intestine, where pH rises above 5.5, the coating dissolves and releases its contents into the optimal absorption environment.

SNAC: The Absorption Enhancer

SNAC is a small-molecule permeation enhancer that works through multiple complementary mechanisms. It creates a localized microenvironment around the peptide that transiently increases membrane fluidity, allowing tirzepatide to pass through enterocytes via transcellular absorption. SNAC also provides a buffering effect that further protects the peptide from residual enzymatic activity, and its lipophilic properties help shield tirzepatide from proteolytic attack during the absorption window.

The SNAC-peptide complex is absorbed primarily in the upper small intestine, where the formulation creates a concentrated bolus that maximizes contact time with the epithelial surface.

---

Why Absorption Is High

Several factors contribute to the strong bioavailability achieved with this formulation.

Targeted Release Location

By bypassing the stomach entirely, the intact peptide reaches the duodenum and jejunum—regions with high surface area, favorable pH, and lower protease concentrations than the gastric environment.

Concentration-Dependent Absorption

SNAC-enhanced absorption is most efficient when the peptide is delivered in a concentrated bolus rather than dispersed gradually. Our capsule design releases tirzepatide and SNAC together in a defined intestinal segment, creating the optimal conditions for rapid uptake.

Proven Technology Platform

This approach mirrors the mechanism validated with oral semaglutide (Rybelsus), which uses the same SNAC technology to achieve clinically meaningful absorption of a GLP-1 peptide. Tirzepatide’s structural properties are compatible with this delivery system, enabling similar enhancement of oral bioavailability.

Rapid Absorption Window

The SNAC effect is transient and localized, which is actually advantageous—it creates a defined absorption window that moves tirzepatide efficiently into systemic circulation before intestinal transit dilutes the formulation.

---

Administration Guidelines

For optimal absorption, capsules should be taken on an empty stomach with no more than 4 oz of plain water. Patients should wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking other beverages, or taking additional oral medications. This protocol ensures the formulation reaches the small intestine intact and maintains the concentrated conditions necessary for SNAC-enhanced uptake.