Catalent Pharma Solutions (Catalent) has entered into a strategic alliance with Endotis Pharma for the development of oral formulations of synthetic oligosaccharides.
Using Catalent’s drug delivery technologies, the two companies are expected to collaborate exclusively to develop certain oral formulations of small-glycol drugs. Oral formulations of synthetic oligosaccharides will allow full exploitation of the therapeutic potential of small-glycol drugs, which to date are administered only intravenously or subcutaneously.
The companies initially focus on the preclinical development of Endotis’ EP37151 compound. EP37151 is a first-in-class oral synthetic oligosaccharide anticoagulant which, as an indirect factor Xa inhibitor, acts via antithrombin activation. They expect to initiate a Phase I clinical trial program during the second quarter of 2010, and hope to have more oral anticoagulants enter development within the next year.
Tom Stuart, president of oral technologies segment at Catalent, said: “This collaboration with Endotis, based upon a unique combination of complementary expertise, has been providing exciting results, proving that the various technical hurdles associated with the oral delivery of small-glycol drugs can be overcome.”