Marseille, France, and Paris, France, May 21, 2012 - Provence Technologies, a service provider of specialist fine chemistry and Neuroptis Biotech, specializing in the discovery and development of innovative therapies in neurology and ophthalmology, announce today the further strengthening of their collaboration for transferring the chemical development of Neuroptis Biotech’s drug candidate, ML7, and producing the first GMP batches before the end of 2012.
ML7 is a drug candidate for the treatment of dry eye syndromes. It is the first of a new therapeutic class and has the potential to provide a targeted and effective therapeutic remedy for the millions of people suffering from dry eye syndrome, Gougerot-Sjogren syndrome and inflammations, especially ones caused by allergies.
Provence Technologies and Neuroptis Biotech have already collaborated successfully in developing a synthetic pathway for ML7, manufacturing the first non-GMP batches and devising associated analytical methods. The two companies have embarked on the process optimization phase to facilitate the transfer of the compound and the start of production on an industrial scale, scheduled for September this year.
“Our know-how in the area of organic synthesis, process development and the management of fine chemistry projects enabled us to handle the chemical development of this drug candidate and produce the first batches of ML7, thereby enabling Neuroptis to begin initial formulation tests,” said Provence Technologies’ chief operating officer, Dr. Babak Sayah. “Our involvement and our tough requirements for undertaking our clients’ projects are strictly the same as those we impose on ourselves for taking our own research and development programs to the commercialization stage.”
“The ML7 development program is a priority for Neuroptis,” said Neuroptis Biotech’s chairman, Dr. Eric Belot. “Our collaboration with Provence Technologies has enabled us to have the first batches of ML7 not only on time but also to a level of purity that means we can proceed to the formulation and toxicity study stages with greater confidence. We have found in Provence Technologies a highly professional partner that has succeeded in managing the project efficiently while keeping us regularly informed with a high degree of transparency during the whole development process.”
Provence Technologies will be participating in Chemoutsourcing at Long Branch, NJ, from 10 to 13 September 2012.
About Neuroptis Biotech
Founded in 2008, Neuroptis Biotech is developing several compounds in dry eye indications, an area that has been rather neglected in favor of pathologies of the retina, these products are ready to enter Phase I clinical trials in 2012. This rapidly-growing market is estimated to be worth over EUR 1.2 billion at the world level.
http://www.neuroptis.com
About Provence Technologies
Provence Technologies offers R&D services to leading pharmaceutical, agrochemical, biotechnology and cosmetics companies in the areas of fine chemistry, the search for synthetic pathways, organic synthesis and process development and optimization. The company also provides services for the development and validation of analytical methods. Thanks to its unique knowhow and its proprietary research and development programs, Provence Technologies offers innovative and low-cost technical solutions to its clients and is able to support them from early-stage drug discovery to pre industrial process development.
Founded in 1998 and based in Marseille, Provence Technologies generated revenues of EUR two million in 2011.
For further information, go to: http://www.provetech.com
Mark Tidmarsh
ANDREW LLOYD & ASSOCIATES
http://www.ala.com
mark@ala.com
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