Glide injection system to be assessed by 'major' drug firm
with a "leading" pharmaceutical company, under which the as yet
unidentified firm will evaluate Glide's Solid Dose Injection system
for the administration of one of it range of branded peptide
therapeutics.
The agreement, the third technology accord that Oxford-based Glide has established, is described as a "future-directed" relationship, focusing initially on one of the drug company's protein drug products.
The deal also provides Glide's partner with an option to enter into a full development programme if the project proceeds successfully.
Glide's Solid Dose Injector is a needle-free drug delivery system that enables the injection of drugs and vaccines.
The product, which was voted overall winner at the 2007 Medical Futures Innovation Awards, combines a disposable drug cassette and a reusable applicator, capable of delivering a "rice sized" solid dose formulation of a particular drug directly through the skin using a spring-powered actuator.
The pharmaceutical material comprises the active drug, any excipients and any additional components required to produce a robust formulation that has the desired release kinetics.
Glide said that its SDI technology is designed to eliminate the possibility of needle stick injuries associated with traditional injections methods, thereby enabling more patients to self-administer medications without the need for assistance by health care professionals.
The company also asserted that such administration methods are likely to improve treatment compliance and act as an aid to those suffering from "needle phobias."
Under the terms of the agreement, Glide's R&D team will develop a range of solid dose versions of the biologic in question, combining the core medication with a variety of specially developed excipients, in an effort to ensure that its pharmacokinetic profile, efficacy and tolerability are comparable to existing formulations.
Glide's partner will then assess the solid dose versions with a view to selecting the most promising for further development and potential clinical trials.
Commenting on the deal, Glide's CEO, Dr Charles Potter said: " with two existing agreements and a number in the pipeline, this latest deal with a major pharmaceutical company involving a branded biological, is a significant step for us."
Dr Potter added that the agreement follows the release of " very promising data on the administration of vaccines using the Glide SDI.
Dr Potter concluded that: " [the new deal], together with our own drug development programme, is beginning to build up a promising picture of the potential of the Glide SDI system as a commercially viable solution for administering both small molecules and biological, including vaccines ."
