PEG alternative from Parallel Solutions
technology that could be used to shield drugs from inactivating
processes in the body, extending their time in the circulation.
The polymer, developed by Parallel Solutions, provides an alternative to the commonly-used polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymer technology, which has already found its way into a number of protein-based medicines.
Attachment of PEG to a molecule leads to an extension of its half-life in the body, and in turn requires less frequent dosing. For example, Amgen's Neupogen (filgrastim) is used in cancer patients to support their immune function after treatment with cytotoxic drugs. In its initial form, the drug required daily injections for up to two weeks. Amgen has since developed a PEGylated version of the molecule Neulasta (pegfilgrastim), that can be delivered as a single dose each chemotherapy cycle, typically once every three weeks.
In the latest agreement, Parallel Solutions has secured a line of finance from Phase III Medical to develop the technology, and the latter will also provide guidance on its commercial development.
The polyphosphazenes polymers at the heart of this collaboration have advantages over other systems, including PEG, because they are suitable for binding to a wide range of compound types. In addition, derivatives of the basic polymer structure can be synthesised very quickly, making this technology suitable for the earliest stages of drug discovery and development.
For the most part, polymers such as PEG have been used to improve the profile of proteins that have already been on the market for some time, and the polyphosphazenes also have potential applications in this area. However, Parallel Solutions claims that, because of its high throughput synthesis and formulation capabilities, various versions of its polymers can be conjoined with active ingredients and go through the drug-screening process.
This could mean that polyphosphazene-linked drugs will go through the entire drug development process as New Active Substances (NAS), at the start of the product lifecycle.
Advantages of the polymer system include structural versatility, tuneable biodegradability, and adjustable protein binding characteristics, according to the company.
