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.