U.K. biotech Nemaura Pharma reported securing funding commitments totalling £5 million ($6.2 million) from private investors to support the continued development of its Micro-Patch™ technology for delivering a solid-dosage formulated hormone biologic.
Nemaura’s Micro-Patch platform uses a retractable microneedle to deposit solid formulations of drugs, including biologics and vaccines, under the skin. Developed to allow self-administration by patients, the technology could help to improve drug release control and absorption, and potentially remove the requirement for cold-storage of liquid formulations, Nemaura claims. “We know that conventional liquid formulations of vaccines and biologics carry stability risks, especially if they aren’t stored at the correct temperature; this is costly, potentially dangerous and a major issue for developing countries,” commented Nemaura CEO, Faz Chowdhury, M.D. “In solid-form, the drug can remain stable for several months without loss of potency. Our advanced delivery technologies are designed to transform the way therapeutic drugs are administered through the skin.”
Founded in 2005, Nemaura is focused on the development of minimally invasive drug delivery systems for new and existing drugs. In addition to its Micro-Patch platform for transdermal solid-dosage delivery, the firm is developing an adhesive transdermal patch, together with its Memspatch system for controlled liquid drug delivery, and Mycrolator microneedle patch system for dermatology applications.
The transdermal patch is in clinical development for the delivery of an Alzheimer’s disease drug, and is also being developed for Parkinson’s disease and hypertension. Nemaura's microneedle platforms are in clinical development for the delivery of a range of drugs for therapeutic areas including diabetes, local anaesthesia, topical pain relief and chronic pain management, migraine, osteoporosis, oncology, and vaccines. In May 2016, Nemaura reported the successful completion of preclinical immunogenicity studies evaluating its Mciro-Patch technology with a tetanus vaccine and with a combined diphtheria, tetanus, and perussis vaccine.
In addition to developing its in-house programs, the firm is working with licensees to further exploit its platforms, and has to date secured in excess of £25 million (more than $30 million) in private investments, licensing, and development payments. Nemaura has also been awarded five grants by the U.K. government.
