Frost & Sullivan Honours TransPharma Medical For Its Innovative ViaDerm Drug Delivery System

Main Category: Bones / Orthopaedics
Also Included In: Medical Devices / Diagnostics;  Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 04 Aug 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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The 2008 Frost & Sullivan European Transdermal Drug Delivery Product Innovation Award is conferred on Israel-based TransPharma Medical Ltd. in recognition of its innovative ViaDerm drug delivery system. The company's two flagship drug product development programs - ViaDerm hPTH (1-34) for the treatment of osteoporosis and ViaDerm-hGH for the treatment of human growth hormone deficiency - both in phase 2 of clinical development.

The unique ViaDerm system solution allows for low-cost, patient-friendly transdermal delivery of a wide variety of drugs from a patch. Suitable for home use, the ViaDerm system employs a re-usable battery-operated handheld electronic device in combination with a patch containing the drug.

"The basis of the ViaDerm device is TransPharma's proprietary RF-MicroChannel technology which is applied to create an array of microscopic pores in the outer skin surface, facilitating the systemic delivery of drugs," explains Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Sylvia Miriyam Findlay. "The pores are created rapidly with no pain or trauma to the skin. The device can be applied to all skin types and is fully controlled by a unique feedback mechanism that ensures precise and reproducible drug delivery."

The RF-MicroChannels are large enough to enable the delivery of high molecular weight molecules and are open up to 24 hours, thus allowing prolonged systemic delivery of a wide range of drug molecules, including biologics, which are currently available primarily by injection. The ViaDerm system offers patients an administration method that avoids the need for injections, thereby increasing compliance and safety.

TransPharma Medical aims to deliver the best solutions for unmet needs in transdermal drug delivery. It has attempted to meet the challenge of delivering large peptide and proteins by introducing the dry Printed Patch to complement its innovative RF-MicroChannel technology. The printed patch uses the dry form of the drug, thereby increasing stability and shelf life at room temperature.

"TransPharma Medical has constantly worked to spread its novel technology for transdermal drug delivery in therapeutic areas such as endocrine, pain, osteoporosis and diabetes," adds Findlay. "Its application can cover a wide range of therapeutic molecules like hPTH, hGH, GLP-1 analogues, Granisetron, Calcitonine, Testosterone, Diclofenac, and more."

The company has sought to forge productive partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, which will maximise the synergy between its innovative technology and pharmaceutical companies' pipelines. Accordingly, TransPharma Medical has a strategic collaboration with Elli Lilly for the development and commercialisation of ViaDerm-hPTH (1-34) for the treatment of osteoporosis. The product, currently in Phase 2 testing, is administered transdermally and thus can enable patients to manage their disease while eliminating the need for daily painful injections.

The Frost & Sullivan Award for Product Innovation is presented to the company that has demonstrated excellence in new products and technologies within their industry. The recipient company has shown innovation by launching a broad line of emerging products and technologies.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognise companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.

About TransPharma Medical

Established in 2000, TransPharma Medical Ltd. is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of drug products utilizing a proprietary active transdermal drug delivery technology. TransPharma aims to develop multiple drug products through strategic partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies and through independent product development. For more information, visit the Company's website at http://www.transpharma-medical.com.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, partners with clients to accelerate their growth. The company's TEAM Research, Growth Consulting and Growth Team Membership™ empower clients to create a growth-focused culture that generates, evaluates and implements effective growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan employs over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 30 offices on six continents. For more information about Frost & Sullivan's Growth Partnerships, visit http://www.frost.com.

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