The NIDDK funds Delpor’s efforts to utilize its NANOPORTM technology in developing a matchstick-size subcutaneous implant device capable of delivering exenatide for 3-12 months through passive diffusion
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Oct 14, 2014 – Delpor, Inc. (Delpor), a biotechnology company focused on drug delivery, today announced the awarding of a $222K grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) for the further advancement of the company’s 3-month exenatide product (DLP-414). The product is based on Delpor’s NANOPORTM technology and is expected to deliver therapeutic levels of exenatide for a period of at least 3 months.
“We are very excited to receive this grant award and extremely grateful to the NIDDK for helping us advance our research in developing a unique product, which could offer substantial benefits to patients with type 2 diabetes.” said Tassos Nicolaou, President and CEO of Delpor. “We plan to employ these new funds to build on current macromolecular stabilization data and test a variety of nanopore membranes in-vivo.”
Approximately 10% of U.S. adults have diabetes and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention project as many as 1 in 3 U.S. adults could have diabetes by 2050. Exenatide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion by the pancreatic beta-cell, suppresses inappropriately elevated glucagon secretion, and slows gastric emptying. The short plasma half-life of GLP-1 peptides presents a delivery challenge. As a result, developing extended duration delivery options will result in significant advances related to patient medication adherence and convenience.
Tassos Nicolaou continued: “The current exenatide therapy consists of daily or weekly injections. Such injections can be invasive and often result in non-adherence to therapy. DLP-414 has the potential to extend the exenatide formulation for as long as one year, while offering full reversibility in case the patient has a treatment related adverse event.” Mr. Nicolaou concluded by saying: “Our nanopore technology has already been validated, and shown to release several proteins and peptides with near zero-order kinetics in vitro and in vivo. What is unique about Delpor’s technology is the ability to achieve such kinetics through passive diffusion. Our implant device is non-mechanical and does not include any moving parts. This simplifies the design and allows us to make the implant even smaller for drugs that are potent enough.”
About Delpor, Inc.
Delpor develops the next generation Drug Delivery Systems that improve the clinical and commercial value of drugs and biopharmaceuticals. The company’s technologies enable the sustained release of drugs through a small non-mechanical subcutaneous implant device. The device is implanted during a 10 minute, simple, in-office, procedure using local anesthetic and without the need for any surgical sutures. Delpor’s device can deliver small & large molecules within a predefined therapeutic window over several months while maintaining zero-order release pharmacokinetics. Delpor is focusing on the delivery of biologics and antipsychotics in order to improve medication adherence, safety and convenience. The company’s lead products include 3-6 month formulations of Exenatide and Risperidone. Additional information about the company can be found at www.delpor.com.
About DLP-414
Delpor’s DLP-414 is a small titanium reservoir designed for subcutaneous implantation and loaded with a unique formulation of exenatide. The product is designed to provide a constant therapeutic dose of exenatide each day for a total period of 3-12 months. Additional features include reversibility, immediate onset of action, and no accumulation.
Forward-Looking Statements
To the extent any statements made in this release contain information that is not historical, these statements are essentially forward-looking and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the difficulty of predicting FDA approvals, acceptance and demand for new pharmaceutical products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development and launch, reliance on key strategic alliances, availability of raw materials, availability of additional intellectual property rights, availability of future financing sources, the regulatory environment and other risks the Company may identify from time to time in the future.
Contacts
Delpor, Inc.
Tassos Nicolaou, President and CEO
Phone: 415-480-6873
Fax: 415-480-6871