Bend Research, Dow Chemical in strategic agreement

Under the agreement, Dow will utilize its fundamental materials design, high-throughput screening, and pilot-plant, and commercial scale-up capabilities, while Bend will use its SDD screening, formulation, scale-up, and technology-transfer capabilities.

To address the technology gaps in manufacturability and delivery of SDDs, the two companies will develop new materials for SDDs, thus providing greater drug-product utility and therapeutic performance.

In addition, Dow will provide hypromellose and hypromellose acetate succinate, as well as options to tailor these materials, and next-generation cellulosic and noncellulosic polymers for enhanced performance.

Dow senior R&D director Bob Maughon said the company is fully supporting the collaboration by providing array of technologies including high-throughput synthesis with API/polymer screening, laboratory-scale product development, and structure/property optimization, as well as a fully cGMP market-development plant capable of supporting clinical development of optimized solutions.

"We welcome the opportunity to further focus Dow’s proven excipient and materials science expertise in the area of enhancing drug solubility, and we are enthusiastic about working with the world leader in spray-dried dispersions to ensure that our customers receive the best possible polymer solutions," Maughon added.