Pantec Biosolutions has achieved further important milestones in the replacement of injection-based therapies with painless needle-free transdermal systems. In vitro permeation “proof-of-principle” studies with a series of small and large molecular weight therapeutics, demonstrate that P.L.E.A.S.E.® (Painless Laser Epidermal System) significantly increases drug transport of poorly and non-permeating therapeutic agents. “Proof-of-principle”, according to Dr. Yogeshvar Kalia, (School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva and Scientific Advisor to Pantec Biosolutions), “means cumulative drug permeation that is at least equivalent to delivery from the existing dosage form, e.g., by subcutaneous injection.”
The company has completed in vitro permeation studies with several key hormones in its primary focus area of In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF). The results formed the basis of collaboration agreements with a pharmaceuticals company and a patch development and manufacturing company. Development of transdermal patch systems, optimised for use with the P.L.E.A.S.E.® technology, is underway with clinical results expected in 2009. At present, Pantec Biosolutions is financing the entire project and, in line with its business strategy, is open to licensing both its P.L.E.A.S.E.® technology and the transdermal patches in a “one stop shop” concept.
In the area of pain management, Pantec Biosolutions has completed investigations with diclofenac (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory) and lidocaine (a topical anaesthetic).
The diclofenac results indicate that significantly more drug can be administered topically using P.L.E.A.S.E.® ; providing real scope for increasing the current range of indications. Furthermore, topical administration will alleviate the risk of gastrointestinal and other systemic side effects.
Lidocaine is a topical anaesthetic used to numb the skin and underlying tissue before needle-stick procedures, e.g. venipuncture, and at present the slow onset of effect limits its wider use. Microporation prior to lidocaine application results in substantially faster action and enables the needle procedure to be performed minutes after applying the anaesthetic.
Pantec Biosolutions also reports initial in vitro results with a large protein, showing significant delivery, in the double digit mg range, within 24 hours.
Dr. Christof Boehler, Pantec Biosolutions’ CEO, said: “We are very pleased to present such proof-of-principle data in the field of IVF, our lead therapeutic area, to our partners and investors. The IVF results together with the data in other therapeutic areas represent a further important milestone on our way to building partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies”.
Pantec Biosolutions will present the preclinical data in April 2008 at both the Swiss Equity Biotech Day in Zurich (www.swissequitybiotechday.ch), and at the Sachs Associates European Life Science CEO Forum - Investing & Partnering in Biotech, Medtech, Specialty Pharma, Emerging Markets (www.sachsforum.com).
About Pantec Biosolutions and P.L.E.A.S.E.® Pantec Biosolutions is a private drug delivery company specialised in using laser microporation technology to deliver large molecular weight drugs into the epidermis for local or systemic uptake. Its proprietary P.L.E.A.S.E.® (Painless Laser Epidermal System) platform enables efficient, needle-free and painless administration of biopharmaceutical drugs, in varying and individualised dosages, through partnered patch technology. The technology is currently in clinical trials for the delivery of IVF hormone therapy, a market with an estimated value of US$1.5 – 2 billion.
The Company’s P.L.E.A.S.E.® platform is available both for the development of the Company’s own pipeline and for penetration into new markets through strategic partnerships.
Pantec Biosolutions is based in Ruggell, Liechtenstein.
For further details please contact: Media Relations At the Company College Hill Life Sciences Tristan Jervis/Robert Mayer/Claire Mosley Tel: +44 (0) 20 7457 2020 pantec@collegehill.com Pantec Biosolutions AG Dr. Christof Boehler, Chief Executive Officer Tel: +423 377 1390
