We live in the age of optimisation. Constantly asking questions like how can we be more efficient? How can we streamline processes? How can we enhance ourselves with the resources available?
The pharmaceutical scene is no different, seeking to optimise drugs in any way possible to produce better patient outcomes.
Biopharmaceutical company Starpharma (ASX: SPL) is paving the way to optimise drug delivery systems with their proprietary polymers (called dendrimers). The Company’s DEP platform enhances the therapeutic benefit of drugs by improving solubility and pharmacokinetic properties of drugs. The system also allows for a reduction in medication associated toxicities.
With four clinical stage DEP products under their belt already, Starpharma is adept at doing more with less. Their products are essentially a coupling of an original drug along with their DEP formula. These refined versions of already on market drugs are unique in that, instead of reinventing the wheel, Starpharma is tweaking it.
Currently, their portfolio is predominantly based around anti-cancer drugs (three of which are in Phase 2 clinical trials). The Company is also engaged in research into passive and targeted antibody therapies, radiotheranostics and non- oncology applications. This research is being done in collaboration with some of the biggest names in the business including AstraZeneca, Merck & Co and Chase Sun.
The Company has added to the extensive list of pharmaceutical companies harnessing their technology, now signing an exploratory Research Agreement with Genentech.
A member of the Roche Group, Genentech is a pharmaceutical company headquartered in South San Francisco, California making medications to meet unmet clinical needs. Genentech boasts an impressive 40+ medications on the market, holds 20,000 patents and has been awarded 38 FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designations.
Genentech will collaborate on research to evaluate the performance of DEP drug conjugates (DEP + regular drug).
It’s clear that the potential for the DEP system is enormous, given the amount of good drugs on the market already. One of two core business areas for the Company, their flexible platform has broad applicability over numerous diseases and conditions, supported by a strong IP position.
Surely that deserves a spot on your watch list.
Samantha Freidin is a business journalist at Emerald Financial whilst also completing a Masters of Marketing and Digital Communications at Monash University.
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