The DermX^TM MegasphereTM Delivery System is a passive, topical technology platform that enhances the rate, volume, and depth of penetration of various cosmetic actives and other ingredients through human skin. A liquid solution created by JRX Biotech (formerly ORYXE, INC.) in 1999 and protected by six U.S. patents, DermX^TM MegasphereTM is a novel transdermal system capable of:

• Delivering small and large molecules ("macro-molecules") up to 460,000 Daltons in size.
• Delivering large volumes of actives (a "large payload") into the skin.
• Stabilizing large volumes (a "high load factor") of actives in a finished formulation.
• Delivering compounds deep into the dermis (the third layer of skin).
• Delivering complete, intact molecules to the target zone.

Large Molecules: Traditional delivery system technologies can deliver only small molecules to the skin, thus severely limiting their efficacy and dosage range and flexibility. The DermX^TM MegasphereTM System, however, can deliver both small molecules (like peptides) and large molecules (like proteins). DermX^TM MegasphereTM's unique value is its ability to deliver compounds that are potentially 10,000 times larger than those found in other non-invasive, passive systems. The novel patented technology is the only known liquid-based system that allows such a wide range of actives (agents) to be therapeutically absorbed through human skin.

Large Volumes I: Unlike other technologies, DermX^TM MegasphereTM has been proven to deliver large volumes (or a "large payload") of cosmetic actives into the skin. Currently, traditional technologies allow only 0.1 to 0.2% of an applied dose to be absorbed. However, DermX^TM MegasphereTM employs "megasphere technology", a mechanism that does not require a separate carrier and penetration enhancer. As a result, up to 2 to 4% of an applied dose has been clinically proven to penetrate the skin, delivering 10 to 40 times more at one time than before.

Large Volumes II: Efficient delivery starts with the formulation itself. The DermX^TM MegasphereTM system has the ability to encapsulate, stabilize and solubilize—long-term—a high concentration (up to 70%) of an active ingredient in a finished formulation. This means that 35 to 70 times more of an active ingredient is being "delivered" or applied to the skin with each application.

Deep Delivery: Human skin is made up of three main layers: the stratum corneum, the viable epidermis and the dermis. Traditional delivery system technologies can deliver agents to only the top layer, the stratum corneum. DermX^TM MegasphereTM however, has been proven to deliver these same agents deep into the third layer of skin, the dermis.

Intact Delivery: Most traditional, passive transdermal delivery systems (liposomes as an example) can deliver only small volumes of small molecules to the top layer of skin. The process is problematic as the delivered molecules frequently break down and denigrate as they attempt to cross the skin barrier. DermX^TM MegasphereTM solves this dilemma by using megaspheres - a mechanism that encapsulates both the agent and carrier. Electrophoresis and immunoprecipitation studies have proven that once a molecule is absorbed through the skin using DermX^TM MegasphereTM this same active maintains its initial intact molecular structure.

DermX^TM MegasphereTM has been clinically proven in a number of world renowned, independent laboratories using today's most sophisticated testing methods, including:

• The in vitro Franz Diffusion Cell test,
• Spectroscopy analysis,
• Electrophoresis, and
• Immunoprecipitation studies.

All Franz Diffusion Cell tests were conducted using human cadaver skin and ¹⁴C radiolabeled compounds, and were performed at the PRACS Institute, Ltd./Cetero Research - the recognized worldwide leader in dermatological and percutaneous (skin) absorption testing.