InnoCore and Nanomi Strengthen collaboration on microsphere technology for peptide and protein delivery

Groningen and Oldenzaal, The Netherlands, July 08, 2010.

InnoCore Technologies BV and Nanomi BV today announced a strategic collaboration for the development of advanced monodisperse biodegradable microsphere-based controlled release formulations. Under this collaboration the companies will jointly offer their combined proprietary SynBiosys^TM and Monosphere^TM technologies to the market as a powerful platform technology for the sustained delivery of biotherapeutics.

This decision follows the successful completion of a joint R&D program in which the companies combined InnoCore's versatile and adjustable biodegradable polymeric SynBiosys drug delivery platform with Nanomi's robust and scalable microsieve^TM emulsification based Monosphere process technology. The combination offers an attractive route towards the development of minimally invasive and less painful injectable controlled release depot formulations for the systemic or site-specific delivery of even the most challenging biological molecules.

Gert Veldhuis, CEO of Nanomi commented, "Our cooperation with InnoCore gives us access to their versatile SynBiosys platform that has characteristics that are superior to the traditional biodegradable polymers especially regarding the controlled delivery of peptides and protein therapeutics. Furthermore, InnoCore's R&D team has state-of-the-art experience with the development of long-acting biodegradable drug delivery products. This collaboration is a major addition to our technology offer and development service package for our pharmaceutical clients. "

"Nanomi's proprietary Monosphere technology complements and enhances InnoCore's portfolio of drug delivery capabilities", said Rob Steendam, CTO of InnoCore Technologies. "Nanomi's Monosphere technology is truly unique in uniformity and we are excited to work with them on the development of SynBiosys-based Monosphere formulations for our customers' biotherapeutics. The ability to use smaller gauge needles for parenteral administration of our long-acting microsphere formulations significantly enhances our value proposition to current and future customers." 

SynBiosys is an advanced biodegradable polymeric drug delivery system. Its biodegradability, proven biological safety and easily adjustable release characteristics make SynBiosys an excellent drug delivery platform for the controlled release of the full spectrum of active compounds. SynBiosys-based depot formulations do not suffer from accumulation of acidic degradation products in the polymer matrix, as is the case with PLGA-based depots. This enables the sustained release of structurally intact and biologically active therapeutic peptides and biotech-derived compounds for periods ranging from several days to more than half a year. The total control of particle size provided by the Monosphere technology allows for minimally invasive and less painful injection through very thin needles. This aspect is not only beneficial in subcutaneous and intramuscular administration, but especially appreciated in more advanced delivery routes such as intra-articular or intraocular injection. It even enables novel delivery strategies such as site-specific drug delivery to organs through capillary embolization. Furthermore, monodisperse microspheres provide reduced particle-related immunoactivation due to the absence of undersized microspheres. Together with its robustness, reproducibility and straightforward scalability these features make Monosphere technology a valuable asset for the development and manufacture of microspheres for injectable depots. This value is underlined by three of the top ten big pharma companies being among Nanomi's customers.

About InnoCore Technologies

InnoCore is a privately owned Dutch biopharmaceutical drug delivery company specialized in the development of novel injectable pharmaceutical drug delivery products and drug eluting medical implants based on its proprietary SynBiosys biodegradable polymeric drug delivery technology. InnoCore focuses on the development of long-acting and minimally invasive controlled release formulations for precise delivery of small lipophilic molecules, therapeutic peptides and proteins. Its technology portfolio comprises various product configurations, including microspheres, long-acting solid implants, in situ forming gels and coatings.

Since its inception in 2003, Innocore has successfully established partnerships with biomedical, biotech and pharma companies throughout the world. Various injectable depot formulations including long-acting solid injectable implants for LHRH-agonist and microsphere formulations for several therapeutic proteins are currently under development. Sirolimus-eluting coronary stents comprising SynBiosys coatings are currently evaluated in randomized clinical trials in CardioMind's CARE II trial and Orbusneich' REMEDEE trial. To support its customers during clinical product development InnoCore, in collaboration with its strategic partners, is working on the realization of cGMP facilities for small scale clinical production of SynBiosys microspheres and implants.

About Nanomi

Nanomi is an independent, privately owned Dutch life sciences company, providing its customers with novel, high added value, microsphere based (e.g. drug delivery) products enabled by its Monosphere technology. The company was founded in 2004 and is located in the East of the Netherlands. Nanomi is profitable and has successfully entered into business agreements for the development of products for several blue chip multinationals. The heart of the Monosphere technology is the proprietary microsieve^TM emulsification process. Silicon microsieves bring the precision of the semiconductor industry to the life sciences, enabling the production of highly monodisperse droplets and particles in a robust, reproducible and cost effective way. Nanomi targets business-to-business partnerships with companies in drug delivery, molecular imaging, diagnostics, and research and analysis that have a high value product or application that can strongly benefit from its technology. Nanomi does not distribute and market products on its own.