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Pantec Biosolutions unveils preclinical data for
novel transdermal drug delivery platform
Ruggell, Liechtenstein, 02 April 2008, Pantec
Biosolutions AG, a privately-owned company developing innovative technologies
for transdermal drug delivery, reports promising preclinical in vitro data in
support of the company’s novel P.L.E.A.S.E.® intraepidermal drug delivery
platform.
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 ).
- Ends -
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
College Hill Life Sciences
Tristan Jervis/Robert Mayer/Claire Mosley
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7457 2020
pantec@collegehill.com
At the Company
Pantec Biosolutions AG
Dr. Christof Boehler, Chief Executive Officer
Tel: +423 377 1390
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