Encore Therapeutics has reported results of two preclinical efficacy studies demonstrating that its extended release ropivicaine can provide anesthetic action for three days.
Subscribe to our email newsletter
Encore's drug, known as ETI-211, is designed for post-surgical pain management; to reduce opiate use and possibly shorten hospital stays.
The preclinical studies demonstrated a dose-dependant analgesic effect of ETI-211 that persisted for up to 72 hours when injected subdermally in a guinea pig model of cutaneous pain sensitivity. No overt toxic effects were noted at the highest doses tested and full cutaneous sensitivity was restored.
ETI-211 consists of a proprietary non-liposomal phospholipid gel (PG) that incorporates the drug forming a single-phase depot system. ETI-211 outperformed other liposomal anesthetic depot formulation in terms of duration of action in the same animal model.
“The non-liposomal PG technology represents a safe, reliable, versatile and simple approach to drug delivery that has the potential to provide subcutaneous, intramuscular or intratumoral drug depots for the extended action of a variety of drugs,” stated ETI chairman and CEO Dr Paul Marangos.
According to Encore, the US market for local anesthetics exceeds $1.5 billion and is growing rapidly.