pSivida signs tech evaluation agreement for injectable implant
The exact terms of the deal were not disclosed. However the company said that its injectable implant would be evaluated with a product for ophthalmology therapy.
The news comes as the firm’s first attempt at the device, Iluvien – licenced to Alimera for the treatment of diabetic macular edema – this month got the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) knock-back because its released drug fluocinolone acetonid was found to increase the risk of cataracts.
However the firm insisted that the device was still a valuable asset, and said that next generation version Durasert is a unique targeted delivery platform for ophthalmic therapeutic areas.
Brian Leedman, VP of investor relations at pSivida, told in-PharmaTechnologist: “The drug may have been disapproved but the device was still good. Durasert is the next version.
“It works exactly the same as Iluvien, except Iluvien is a none bio-erodible implant, whereas Durasert is erodible and disappears when it’s finished.”
The device works by loading a drug into the tube, which is a few millimetres long, and the width of an eyelash.
The tube is then injected into the eye and releases the drug at a controlled rate of a period of three years before disintegrating.
Other applications
Now, besides the new deal, pSivida are actively seeking new partnerships – and not just with ophthalmic drug companies.
Leedman said: “The fact that our device can release the product over a period of three years, has made it attractive in ophthalmology.
“Typically the drug is injected directly into the eye on a monthly basis for diseases like AMD (age related macular degeneration) for example, so obviously having just one injection makes it attractive for big pharmas.”
He added that the size of the technology has also boosted the product’s popularity within the field because injection into the eye without creating a wound requires a very small needle, and hence a very small device.
“I believe we have the only injectable device of its kind in the field of ophthalmology,” he said.
pSivida also believes the device could feasibly be implanted into any organ of the body.
Leedman told us: “This is a very versatile device. For instance it could be injected into the heart wall for cardiovascular therapy, for a targeted drug delivery.
“We are now seeking new partnerships, and will mostly be talking to large pharma companies.”
