Auriga is developing an oral, controlled-release corticosteroid formulation that targets inflammatory bowel disease lesions at different sites within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Under the terms of the development agreement, Degussa will provide the proprietary drug delivery technology and formulation concentrating the therapeutic benefits of the selected corticosteroid specifically where it is needed in the GI tract.
Drug delivery to specific disease sites within the GI tract is essential for the creation of improved pharmacological treatments with greater efficacy and reduced side effects for patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).
Eudracol is a proprietary multi-layer colonic drug delivery system that is designed to provide drug protection in the upper GI tract and controlled drug release in the ileum and colon.
Degussa will be responsible for development of the prototype formulations. Auriga will take responsibility for formulation scale-up, manufacture, clinical, regulatory submission/approval, and product launch and marketing.