+++++++++++++++++++++++++ Eiffel Technologies Ltd (EIF: ASX) has announced its third international drug delivery alliance within six months. In a strategic research partnership with Amarin Development AB, a subsidiary of specialty pharmaceutical group, Amarin Corporation plc (NASDAQ: AMRN), Eiffel will combine its Supercritical Fluid(SCF) bioengineering technology with Amarin's patented controlled-release delivery system.
The initial phase of the collaboration, where each party will be responsible for individual costs, will involve applying Eiffel's SCF technology to the production of sub-micron sized drug particles of a currently undisclosed drug substance that has poor solubility. Those drug particles will then be incorporated into Amarin's Diffusion Controlled Vesicle (DCV) controlled-release technology.
The new combination technology could potentially improve the extended-release of drugs that are difficult to deliver orally because of their low absorption into the blood stream. The new combination technology could be applied to new compounds or drugs currently on the market but not available in extended-release formulations due to dissolution issues that negatively impact bioavailability. If successful, the collaboration may lead to an expanded development alliance between the two groups.
The partnership not only confirms the growing interest in SCF technology within the pharmaceutical industry but is also an important strategic alliance for Eiffel. Amarin Corporation, headquartered in London, is an emerging specialty pharmaceutical company focused in neurology and pain management with an established US neurology sales and marketing operation. Amarin Development is the product development division based in Sweden with products on the market distributed by pharmaceutical companies including Sanofi-Synthelabo, Pharmacia and Tanabe Seiyaku.
The collaboration is also an important move for the company into the reformulation of oral pharmaceutical products, which dominates the drug delivery market, worth US$39 billion in 2000. Previous collaborations entered into focused on the development of inhaled pharmaceuticals to replace the injection of existing drugs.
SCF technology allows the reformulation of drugs to improve drug efficacy and improve patient compliance through a more patient friendly delivery means. Smaller particle size and a more controlled, narrow particle size distribution can be achieved using SCF techniques resulting in increased absorption profiles, reduce dosage and decreased medication side effects.
"Amarin is committed to enhancing the value of our technology platforms through innovative research partnerships and collaborations," said Rick Stewart, chief executive officer of Amarin Corporation. "This new, combination technology has the potential to both improve the quality of controlled release drugs on the market, as well as broaden the range of drag molecules that can be effectively delivered orally. Most importantly, we believe that this combination could provide significant value to our patients and customers, as well as helping to advance our internal drug development efforts in the key areas of neurology and pain management."
Under the terms of the agreement, Eiffel Technologies will retain the intellectual property that relates to the process and methodology of its SCF technology. To date, Eiffel has filed four patents covering its SCF technology. Three are provisional patent applications and one is an international patent filing via PCT, with an additional filing in the US.
Amarin's DCV system is used for the controlled release of substances for periods up to 24 hours. The patented technologyconsists of a tablet core incorporating the active ingredient surrounded by a water-insoluble membrane containing minute particles of water-soluble material. The soluble particles dissolve when the tablet is ingested, resulting in a macro-porous film structure through which drug is released at a steady rate. More than 3 billion tablets have been manufactured and used effectively by patients in more than 30 countries.
Eiffel has the full suite of the SCF techniques (see the Company website www.eiffeltechnologies.com.au for details). It can tailor make a formulation solution depending on the unique characteristics of a particular drug by improving oral, inhaled or injected pharmaceuticals. Eiffel can value add to all segments of the pharmaceutical and biotech market, from re-engineering branded or generic pharmaceuticals, or to solving absorption and delivery needs of new chemical entities.
Eiffel Technologies Ltd, is a bioengineering company focused on improving the performance and delivery of pharmaceuticals, proteins and peptides. Based in Melbourne, Australia, the company is dedicated to the development and commercialization of SCF drug technologies to improve therapeutic outcomes and patient administration of new and currently marketed pharmaceuticals. Eiffel Technologies Ltd also has alliances with Sheffield Pharmaceuticals Inc and BattellePharma Inc, both based in the US,
Amarin Corporation plc is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on neurology and pain management. The company plans to become a leader in these therapeutic categories by providing innovative products and solutions that address significant unmet medical needs. For press release and other Company information, visit their website at http://www.amarincorp.com. Amarin Development AB, based in Malmo Sweden, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Amarin Corporation. It is dedicated to the research and development of advanced controlled release and site-specific technology solutions to create improved outcome formulations of both new and existing drugs.
Contacts:
Rick Stewart Chief Executive Officer Amarin Corporation plc Phone: +44 (0) 20 7907 2440 [email protected]