About Pharcon
PHARCON Inc. is a pharmaceutical formulation and drug delivery development company based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It focuses on creating advanced drug delivery systems and complex dosage forms designed to enhance the absorption and effectiveness of biologically active compounds that are otherwise hard to deliver effectively.
Core Activities
- Support for pharmaceutical partners in formulation, laboratory scale-up, and manufacturing process development.
- Innovative formulation development for poorly absorbable therapeutic molecules.
- Colloidal delivery systems using technologies like nanoemulsions and biodegradable micro/nanoparticles.
Key Technologies & Platforms
Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems (SNEDDS)
These are formulations that spontaneously form nanoemulsions in the gastrointestinal tract to improve the oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. SNEDDS can significantly enhance absorption and effectiveness compared with traditional oil-filled capsules.
Topical Nanoemulsions
PHARCON develops nanoemulsion-based topical products that deliver active ingredients through the skin. An example includes a nanoemulsion formulation of minoxidil and finasteride for targeted follicular delivery to support hair growth — demonstrating much faster visible effects than some conventional treatments.
Natural and Nutraceutical Products
In addition to pharmaceutical applications, the company also works with nutraceuticals and natural products, creating advanced delivery systems tailored for those compounds.
Application Areas
PHARCON’s technologies are used to develop formulations in various dosage forms, including:
- Oral dosage forms with enhanced absorption
- Topical/transdermal preparations
- Buccal (intraoral) delivery systems
- Ophthalmic and injectable forms
- Solid, semi-solid, and liquid formulations
These platforms are particularly useful for difficult-to-deliver molecules — small molecules, peptides, and biologics that may otherwise be poorly absorbed or unstable.
Patents & Innovation
Under Joseph Schwarz’s scientific leadership, PHARCON’s work builds on decades of innovation in advanced drug delivery. Schwarz himself has been named on numerous patents and scientific publications focusing on controlled release and specialized delivery vehicles, such as topical delivery of anti-inflammatory agents.
Scientific Leadership
Joseph Schwarz, Ph.D.
Founder & CEO
Dr. Schwarz is a pharmaceutical scientist with more than 20 years of experience in drug formulation and controlled‑release technologies. His work spans nano‑ and microparticle systems, colloidal delivery platforms, and complex dosage‑form development across oral, topical, ophthalmic, and parenteral routes. He has held senior scientific and managerial roles at AlphaRx, Novopharm, Pharmos, TEVA, and D‑PHARM, and is the author of 40+ scientific publications and over 20 U.S. patents.
Michael Weisspapir, M.D., Ph.D.
Chief Medical Scientist
Dr. Weisspapir is a medical scientist with over 30 years of experience in pharmacology, toxicology, neuroscience, and preclinical drug development. His expertise includes formulation evaluation, nanoemulsions, biodegradable nanoparticles, and safety pharmacology. He has held research positions at the University of Toronto, Tel Aviv University, Rabin Medical Center, and served as Chief Medical Officer at AlphaRx. He is the author of 20+ publications, 8 U.S. patents, and more than 40 patent applications.
Summary
In essence, PHARCON Inc. stands out for:
- Specializing in next-generation drug delivery platforms designed to improve the bioavailability and efficacy of challenging drugs.
- Using colloidal systems (nanoemulsions, nanoparticles, micelles) across multiple administration routes.
- Working with both pharmaceutical and natural medicine partners to bring advanced formulations from concept to production.
