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NEW APPROACH TO DRUG DELIVERY THROUGH BIOADHESIVE OPHTHALMIC DRUG INSERT
06 October 2006 - BTG
| BTG, the global technology commercialisation company, today announced it had strengthened its portfolio of ophthalmic technologies with the acquisition of a new drug delivery innovation from the French veterinary pharmaceutical laboratory Vétoquinol. |
The bioadhesive ophthalmic drug insert technology is made of a composite polymeric material in which the medicinal substance is incorporated and then released over a few days. The technology has been available for use in veterinary practice for more than two years and trials have shown excellent retention characteristics with no toxicity or allergic reaction. BODI has advantages over existing drug delivery products including: The inserts dissolve and therefore do not require surgical removal
Good adhesive properties, which means inserts stay in place
The drug delivery mechanism allows accurate dosing over several days as well as multiple drug dosing. Dr Patrick Bellon, DVM, Corporate Director Business and Expertise Development at Vétoquinol, said: “Patient compliance and therapeutic dose accuracy are major problems for ophthalmic drugs administered by eye drops, and BODI is a major step forward in addressing these issues. We have proven it works in the veterinary sphere and now BTG can find the right development partner to allow humans the chance to benefit as well.” BTG’s Ophthalmic Portfolio
Part of BTG’s business strategy is to continue to expand its technology offering in the ophthalmic area. “We have identified a number of strong technologies that address unmet medical needs in eye care”, says Antony Odell, Business Manager of BTG’s Medical Devices and Drug Delivery group. “The acquisition of BODI is a good complement to our surgical sealants technology, which is currently in clinical trials for indications in eye surgery.” BTG continues to search for additional technologies that will expand its portfolio within the ophthalmic market. BTG is now looking for suitable partners with which to develop and manufacture BODI, as well as its surgical sealants. Product improvements are occurring in many markets, while new therapeutic developments are expanding the glaucoma-related segment. In addition, traditional drug delivery therapies, including eye drops, are yielding to innovations such as implantables, infusion-type products, and oral and slow-release delivery systems. In addition to the technical issues, favourable demographic trends can contribute to the growth of ophthalmic pharmaceuticals.
http://www.btgplc.com
About: BTG
BTG is an intellectual property and technology commercialisation company that operates internationally. BTG creates value by investing in intellectual property and technology development, and in early stage ventures. We realise value through technology licensing, patent assertion and sale of equity investments. Through a multidisciplinary approach, we apply intellectual property and commercial expertise, together with specialist skills in science and technology, to create major product opportunities in the health and high tech sectors. BTG has commercialised important innovations, including Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Multilevel Cell Memory, Campath (alemtuzumab), the first monoclonal antibody treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, and recombinant Factor IX blood clotting protein. BTG operates through wholly owned subsidiaries BTG International Ltd and BTG International Inc in the UK and USA, respectively. |
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