Antares partners with derm firm to adapt delivery platform

Exton, Pa.-Antares Pharma and a firm specializing in treatments for dermatological conditions have signed a feasibility development agreement to develop and apply Antares’ transdermal delivery ATD™ gel platform to formulate an active compound contained in a topical skin product.

Exton-based Antares said the project’s research-and-development phase is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2005, after which clinical supply and commercialization agreements are planned.

An Antares official said the patent-protected ATD gel technology platform has been clinically and commercially validated for the systemic delivery of a variety of compounds, and that the development of modified gel systems for non-systemic, dermal delivery has been achieved.

The company claims that the loading level of drug in its ATD platform can be higher than in conventional transdermal systems, sustained for 24 hours after application, precisely delivered via metered dose pump or unit dose, and that the cosmetic quality is high because ATD gels are non-staining. The platform also allows multiple compounds to be delivered simultaneously at different concentrations, according to the company.