Drug Conjugation
Our drug conjugation technology allows us to improve the effectiveness of a compound's therapeutic efficacy.
We use our proprietary conjugation system to covalently link drug molecules with proven therapeutic efficacy to selected carriers in a process of rational drug design.
Our drug conjugation technology can be used to protect sensitive molecules from degradation, extend half-life, and target drugs to specific organs. The system utilizes approved biocompatible carbohydrate carriers, such as hyaluronic acid, as delivery vehicles for active compounds. Hyaluronic acid is a ubiquitous molecule in the human body and it is approved for use by injection in many markets worldwide. The inherent functional properties of hyaluronic acid molecules give them the potential to act as both inert carriers and biologically active drug transporters.
Tumor cells over-express receptors for hyaluronic acid. It has been shown that changes in receptor expression and hyaluronic acid binding are involved in disease progression. Therefore, we believe that hyaluronic acid may be used for its passive properties of potentially increasing drug half-life and/or for its more active properties to target tumor cells with a therapeutic payload. Hyaluronic acid is recruited to the surface of cancerous cells as they prepare to migrate and the polymer itself is internalized by cells. Hyaluronic acid is biocompatible, highly water-soluble, and has multiple sites for drug conjugation, giving it a high intrinsic drug loading capability. In addition, as with other polymer-based approaches the therapeutic is able the exploit the extended circulation times associated with polymeric agents and to take advantage of the enhanced permeation retention effect (EPR), whereby the polymer therapeutic selectively accumulates in cancerous tissue.
The potential advantages of attaching therapeutic agents to this delivery agent are the targeting of sites or tissues within the body that are associated with disease, whilst sparing those that are not. The polymer therapeutic may also enter cells that are resistant to the unconjugated therapeutic agent, through the internalization of the carrier moiety. The benefits of these properties include: increased efficacy, overcoming of resistance and decreased side effects.
This technology enables us to develop novel therapeutic agents. The platform is covered by new chemical entity and technology patents, including four U.S. and three European issued patents in addition to pending patent applications. These patents currently have expiration dates between 2018 and 2022.
For more information on this technology, please contact us at partners@eurand.com