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Glossary

ANTIMICROBIAL
A substance with properties capable of destroying or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms (e.g. bacteria).

CLINICAL STUDIES
A study of the effects of a pharmaceutical on humans.

DERMATOLOGY
The science of the skin and its diseases.

DRUG DELIVERY
The method or process of administering active substances to achieve a therapeutic effect in humans or animals. Drug delivery technologies refer to patent-protected formulation technologies that modify drug profile with respect to the release or absorption of pharmaceuticals in the body, for example, with the aim of achieving more effective and simpler treatment and/or reduced side effects.

FORMULATION
To develop the most appropriate preparation form of a pharmaceutical, for example, cream, tablet or liquid form.

KERATOLYTIC
To remove/shed dead cells from the epidermis/nail.

MICROSCOPY
Studies on the microscopic level of objects not visible to the naked eye.

MYCOLOGY
The study of fungi.

NAIL FUNGUS
Fungus infection of the nail that often results in the thickening and crumbling of the nail and the separation of the nail from the nail bed. Nail fungus is normally caused by dermatophytes.

PATENT FAMILY
A patent family consists of all patents and patent applications submitted in different countries for the same invention.

PREVALENCE
The number of individuals in a certain group having a certain disease at a certain time.

TERBINAFINE
An antifungal agent, developed by Novartis, now without patent protection. It belongs to a class of pharmaceuticals called allylamines, which block the activity of an enzyme, squalene epoxidase, which has a central role in the synthesis of the fungal cell membrane.