‘Significant benefit’ to drug delivery excipient leads to deal
PeptiDream, based in Kanagawa, Japan, will investigate the use of PharmaIN’s drug carrier and delivery technology, known as Protected Graft Co-Polymer (PGC).
The delivery technology utilises a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based excipient that reversibly binds the therapeutic peptides, which does not require the peptide to be modified to enable delivery, the companies suggested.
Due to this ability, PGC delivery technology is able to maintain the potency, function, and mobility of the peptide payload.
Additional advantages offered by the excipient noted by the companies is the ability to protect the peptide from degradation and a longer circulation half-life.
Through the partnership, PeptiDream will be able to formulate its therapeutic peptides using the delivery technology to evaluate in vivo benefits.
Patrick Reid, CEO of PeptiDream, said, "PharmaIN has developed a very unique and attractive drug carrier/delivery technology that doesn't require modification of the therapeutic peptide payload and could add significant formulation, administration, and delivery benefits to both our internal and external therapeutic programs in which the intended administration route is an injectable.”
PeptiDream itself has a pipeline of ongoing programs that is 98-strong, with two of its furthest progressed candidates at Phase I stage.
For PharmaIN, the partnership represents the second such deal struck with a Japanese company in just over a year for the US company – after having previously agreed a collaboration deal with Shionogi.