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news.Canada-based pharmaceutical firm EastGate Acquisitions has secured a research grant from the Ontario Brain Institute for its Lorazepam Spray development.
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The research grant will be used to study the administration of a transmucosal Lorazepam Spray for the treatment of epileptic seizures in the outpatient settings.
EastGate explores drug delivery innovations in the development of improved novel formulations and alternative dosage forms of existing biologically active molecules.
The company has entered into collaboration with Toronto Western Hospital neurologist Peter Carlen, who will serve as a principal investigator on this trial.
The intraoral Lorazepam Spray is a new transmucosal non-invasive solution indicated to treat acute and repetitive seizures.
It is a low volume, oral anti-convulsant formulation of Lorazepam designed to be a quick and effective treatment of acute seizures in hospital, home or ambulatory settings.
The company said that the delivery form of the most potent anticonvulsant is an exceptionally convenient alternative to injectable benzodiazepines that efficiently control epileptic emergencies.
Main aim of the project is to provide a safe and effective anti-seizure medication to a patient to stop seizures in the shortest period of time.
By using company’s delivery system, the Lorazepam Spray delivers the drug through the mucosal lining of the mouth directly into the blood stream.
The direct buccal and sublingual absorption of Lorazepam into the blood stream provides the desired rapid delivery of the drug to the brain.
EastGate CEO Anna Gluskin said the company is happy about this development as the Ontario Brain Institute grant serves as a significant jump-start for its overall financing plans for the technology’s platform.
"Our innovative technology platform based on a self-nanoemulsion formulation will directly address patient needs for fast onset of treatment and encourage self-administration with the goal of minimizing hospital care and have a positive impact on massive health care costs facing today’s healthcare system," Gluskin said.