Debiopharm and NanoCarrier form collaboration over cancer compound

Under the terms of the agreement, Debiopharm will fund the entire development of the product. In addition, NanoCarrier will receive cash milestones at different stages of the development and royalties when the product is marketed. Debiopharm will retain an exclusive option to license-in a DACH-platin-PEG-polyglutamic acid (DACH Platin Medicelle) from NanoCarrier, for use in oncology.

Preliminary animal experiments demonstrate that the Medicelle technology offers enhanced permeability and retention of the compound in the tumor, leading to improved efficacy and toxicity profiles.

The mechanism of action of Medicelle delivery system is based on the formation of micelles, including hydrophilic-hydrophobic block co-polymers, with a hydrophobic inner core and hydrophilic outer shell. This allows the chemical entrapment of various drugs into the micelles. The drugs are then released slowly into the organism.

Both companies are endorsing the venture as a means of creating therapeutic gains and delivering improved results to cancer sufferers. Rolland-Yves Mauvernay, president and CEO of Debiopharm said the collaboration “Gives us a high chance of success to bring a better targeted, more efficacious, and safer drug to cancer patients.”