Crospon spins out transdermal patch

28-Jan-2010 - Last updated on 28-Jan-2010 at 09:55 GMT

Crospon has spun out its transdermal controlled release patch into a distinct company, two years after it licensed the system from HP, using funding from a pharma firm to further its development.

Pharma has been investing in transdermal patches to develop a more convenient, less painful alternative to injections. The drive to develop alternatives has been intensified by the increased presence of biologics in pharma companies’ portfolios and pipelines.

Crospon has become the latest company to benefit from this trend. Supported by co-development funding “from a leading pharmaceutical company”, Crospon has spun out its drug delivery technology into a distinct company, Janisys.

Furthermore, the company is planning to engage in a round of fundraising during the first half of 2010. Using the capital from the pharma company and fundraising, Janisys will develop the initial prototype and complete the commercial version of the system.

This will be based on the technology Ireland-based Crospon licensed from Hewlett-Packard (HP) in September 2007. The system uses inkjet printing technology from HP to deliver drugs under the skin.

Using microneedles the technology can deliver drugs, either small molecules or biologics, intradermally. In addition a single patch can deliver multiple drugs.

The release of the therapeutics can be controlled wirelessly to ensure precisely timed administration. Patient activation mechanisms, inherent safety protocols for preventing adverse drug interactions and dosage history can also be incorporated into the system.

John O’Dea, CEO at Crospon, added: “Today’s announcement is an exciting step in the continued development of the Janisys drug delivery system. This industry-first skin patch will offer a superior drug delivery platform for doctors and patients.”

Janisys expects to begin preclinical trials of the system later this year.