BEND (AP) An Oregon company has won a patent on technology to improve absorption of oral medicine and possibly lower its cost.

After more than $100 million for development, Bend Research says it has patented a spray drying technology for pills that will help patients digest a new generation of pharmaceuticals being developed for cancer, heart disease, liver disease and immune disorders.

The Bulletin newspaper reported the ability to make drugs dissolve more easily could dramatically reduce the dosage of some antibiotics and other drugs due to improved uptake into the bloodstream.

The technology could also make more drugs usable in treating patients in nursing homes or hospitals who are on feeding tubes.