Replies to post #1464 on SurModics Inc (SRDX)

[Democritus_of_Abdera]

Brookwood...

Dew, I agree, this acquisition looks good to me on first blush...

See: http://www.brookwoodpharma.com/ for an introduction to Brookwood Pharmaceuticals and its background.

Brookwood was spunout from Southern Research on Jan 19, 2005 to focus upon time-release pharmaceutical formulations. It had developed a commercially injectiable microsphere product while part of Southern Research.

With the spin-off, Brookwood retained its relationship with Carrington’s DelSite subsidiary to develop GelSite, a high molecular weight anionic polysaccharide that provides controlled release of peptides.

Brookwood also has developed a relationship with Genzyme Pharmaceuticals. Genzyme has developed LipoBridge as a delivery technology to facilitate transfer across the blood-brain barrier, and LipoMask to increase circulation half-lives.

On May 7, 2007, Brookwood formed a collaborative joint venture with Targeted Technology Ventures (Aeon Bioscience) to develop new DES technology.

[Democritus_of_Abdera]

Clinuvel PLE

Brookwood’s website identifies the Clinuvel PLE Implant as the partnered drug delivery product closest to market (see: http://www.brookwoodpharma.com/pipeline.html ).

Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals (formally EpiTan Ltd of Austalia) has been mentioned on iHub before (see #msg-20958741 for websites). The company’s primary focus is upon clinical applications of CUV1647, aka Melanotan or MCI.

Clinuvel has UK MHRA approval to begin phase III trials using CUV1647 for Polymorphous Light Eruption (PLE) and for Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP). It is exploring the value of CUV1647 in mitigating the side effects of photodynamic therapy (see: http://www.clinuvel.com.au/IRM/Company/ShowPage.aspx?CPID=1414 ).

MelanoTan is a synthetic melanocortin analog with much longer half-life than MSH. (see: Hadley ME, Dorr RT. (2006). Peptides 27(4):921). It’s effects are notable in that there is augmentation of melanogenesis (pigmentation) in people with extremely light skin; i.e. those who are most susceptible to sunburn (see: Barnetson et al., (2006). J Inv Derm 126:1869).

MelanoTan has a reputation in the popular press of being a Barbie Drug that induces a tan and increases sexual libido (see: http://archives.cnn.com/2002/HEALTH/08/06/gupta.new.viagra.otsc/index.html ). Actually, it is the closely related MelanoTan II that causes an increased libido. MelanoTan II is being developed by Palatin Technologies, Inc under the name Bremelanotide ( http://www.palatin.com/ ).

[Democritus_of_Abdera]

Elbion...

With the Brookwood acquisition, SRDX acquired a Drug Delivery Partnership with elbion NV. There are two elbion products in the pipeline: elbion Naltrexone Microparticle (listed on the Brookwood website) and Buprenorphine Depot (listed on the elbion Website)

Naltrexone Depot, is a sustained release formulation of naltrexone for the treatment of alcohol (and opiate) abuse and is currently in Phase III clinical trials (I presume to meet European regulatory approval). Naltrexone Depot is designed as a once-a-month intramuscular injection which elbion believes will offer significant advantages in the treatment of alcoholism where patient treatment compliance is a major limiting factor.

Buprenorphine Depot, a sustained release buprenorphine indicated for the treatment of opiate addiction. Buprenorphine depot is in pre-clinical development.

elbion NV is a Belgian specialty pharmaceutical company formed in December, 2006 through the merger of elbion AG and 4AZA Bioscience NV. elbion AG began operations through a management buyout from Degussa Group in 2002. 4AZA was founded in 2002 as a spin-off from the Catholic University of Leuven.

Naltrexone Depot and Buprenorphine Depot were acquired in January 2007 from the French biotechnology company DrugAbuse Sciences.

Relevant Websites:
http://www.brookwoodpharma.com/pipeline.html
http://www.elbion.com/pipeline.html
http://www.elbion.com/pdf/elbion_DAS_ENG_final.pdf