AEGiS-PRn: NanoSystems and Merck & Co., to Investigate a New Formulation of Protease Inhibitor, Indinavir, For Treatment of Pediatric HIV Patients

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NanoSystems and Merck & Co., to Investigate a New Formulation of Protease Inhibitor, Indinavir, For Treatment of Pediatric HIV Patients

PR Newswire, Thursday December 19 8:47 AM EDT

COLLEGEVILLE, Pa., Dec. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- NanoSystems LLC today announced an agreement with Merck & Co., Inc. to collaborate on the evaluation of an experimental NanoCrystal(TM) formulation of Merck's HIV protease inhibitor, indinavir, for the treatment of HIV in pediatric patients and other special patient groups. Indinavir is indicated in the treatment of HIV infection in adults when antiretroviral therapy is warranted, and is currently marketed as Crixivan(R) (indinavir sulfate) in a capsule formulation. Based upon initial feasibility studies, Merck and NanoSystems believe a NanoCrystal formulation of indinavir liquid suspension may improve the palatability and administration of the drug in the treatment of pediatric patients who have difficulty swallowing solid dosage products.

Merck and NanoSystems hope to demonstrate clinically that the NanoCrystal indinavir suspension formulation has increased bioavailability compared to standard suspension formulations in patients. Pediatric liquid suspension formulations may allow more effective taste masking to facilitate drug administration to infants and small children.

"This collaboration is intended to address a serious unmet clinical need in the treatment of HIV in pediatric patients," said Larry A. Sternson, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of NanoSystems. "We are eager to apply our drug delivery technology in this area to expand the clinical utility of this highly promising class of anti-HIV drugs."

NanoSystems' NanoCrystal formulations provide a means to improve bioavailability of drugs with low or poor solubility. The technology is capable of optimizing drug delivery in a broad range of formats, including oral, injectable, topical and aerosol dosage formulations. To date, six drugs incorporating NanoSystems' technology have been tested in human clinical trials.

Under terms of the agreement, NanoSystems will apply its patented NanoCrystal drug formulation technology to develop nanoparticle formulations of indinavir for delivery in a liquid suspension. In return, NanoSystems receives a licensing fee, a milestone payment, certain research payments, and royalties based upon product sales after meeting certain thresholds. Further terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

NanoSystems LLC is applying a proprietary particulate/colloidal technology to develop improved formulations of both marketed pharmaceutical products and new chemical entities. NanoSystems is collaborating with a number of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and has license agreements with Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V., a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, Mimetix Inc. for an injectable analgesic, and an undisclosed pharmaceutical company for another respiratory product. SOURCE NanoSystems LLC

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