Patent ID: 8414914

Claim:
A composition, comprising: a mucoadhesive protein that is present at a concentration of about 1% by weight up to about 50% by weight of the total weight of the composition; an agent for delivery; and a delivery vehicle associated with the agent, wherein: the composition is formulated as an emulsion and is formulated for mucosal delivery to the oral or gastrointestinal tract mucosa; the mucoadhesive protein is associated with the delivery vehicle via a chemical or physical bond, whereby the composition adsorbs to the mucosa for effecting systemic delivery of the agent; the composition has a viscosity of about 50,000 cps up to 500,000 cps at about 72° F., whereby the composition is retained on a mucosal surface; and the delivery vehicle is selected from among a micelle, inverse micelle, liposome, cubosome and a mixture thereof.