Acrux (ASX:ACR)
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Acrux Limited (ASX: ACR), a Melbourne, Australia-based
pharmaceutical company which has developed an innovative transdermal
drug delivery system, announced today that two senior executives will
be presenting on panels at the upcoming BIO CEO conference at the
Waldorf Astoria in New York.
Acrux CEO Dr. Igor Gonda will join a panel of CEOs and pain
experts to discuss the latest developments in pain relief. Dr. Nina
Wilkins, who manages Acrux's intellectual property and business
development, will discuss latest developments in reproductive health
for men and women on a panel called "What's New in Sexual/Gender
Health." Both panels are at 4 p.m. (U.S. EST) on February 14.
"Cure the Pain"
Dr. Gonda's panel, titled "Cure the Pain," will address key
factors driving the growing demand for pain medication, including
aging populations, greater use of strong pain drugs in emerging
markets and concerns surrounding side effects and inadequate efficacy
of existing treatments.
Gonda's presentation will focus on his company's work with
fentanyl, a potent and widely used medication to treat chronic pain
caused by cancer, arthritis and back injury.
"Transdermal fentanyl--in a 3-day patch--has become a key tool in
the management of pain, with annual sales totalling more than $2
billion worldwide," said Gonda. "With Acrux's unique Patchless
Patch(R) delivery system, we are developing a transdermal alternative
to the traditional patch that provides the same advantages, and offers
other benefits--such as dosing flexibility for more precise pain
control, while avoiding some of the risks--such as skin irritation and
residual drug."
With Acrux's delivery system, Fentanyl UDTS(TM), a patient would
use a simple applicator to apply a single dose of quick-drying
fentanyl formulation to the skin which rapidly creates an invisible,
non-irritating reservoir of the medication within the skin. The
fentanyl then slowly diffuses into the bloodstream throughout the day.
With this application method, dosing frequency can be varied to
control pain more effectively.
Fentanyl UDTS(TM) has had positive results in its Phase 1 trials
and Acrux is funding additional small trials in Australia to gather
further valuable data on the product, before securing a commercial
partner for Phase 3 trials and marketing.
"What's New In Sexual/Gender Health?"
Dr. Wilkins' panel will look at the current climate and recent
advancements in the multi-billion dollar reproductive health market.
With FDA warnings about possible adverse effects from blockbuster male
"gender health" drugs, such as Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra inspiring
caution, safe new therapies and technologies for reproductive health
will be highly prized. Approximately 13 million men in the U.S. today
experience testosterone deficiency and researchers are now also
investigating new treatments for women's arousal and desire.
Acrux is at the forefront of this exciting and growing area, with
three women's health products and one men's health product in
development using the company's transdermal delivery system.
"Our vision is that Acrux's once-a-day skin sprays will become a
familiar and preferred means of treatment for women throughout their
lives," said Wilkins. "Our contraceptive, our treatment for decreased
libido and our treatment for menopausal symptoms are all in clinical
development, with the first product nearing completion of Phase 3 in
the USA. We are also developing a novel patient-friendly lotion for
men faced with testosterone deficiency."
Acrux's transdermal drug delivery system consists of three
proprietary components:
-- MDTS(R) applicator--a small, hand-held, easy-to-use applicator
that is designed to provide an easy and convenient means to
deliver a preset dose of a therapeutic drug onto the skin
-- ACROSS(R) penetration enhancers--commonly used safe,
non-irritating materials, with properties that enable
transport of the drug through the skin.
-- Patchless Patch(R)--the drug delivery method itself, whereby a
fast-drying formulation forms an invisible reservoir of the
drug and enhancer in the outer layer of the skin, from which
the drug is slowly released into the bloodstream.
"We are delighted to be invited to take part in the BIO CEO panels
and look forward to some valuable insights into treatment options for
patients in both these exciting areas. Acrux's participation reflects
the breadth of our product pipeline and its advanced stage of
development," said Gonda.
About Acrux (www.acrux.com.au):
-- Acrux is a specialty pharmaceutical company, developing and
commercializing a range of patented, patient-preferred
healthcare products for global markets, using its innovative
technology to administer drugs through the skin.
-- Acrux's product pipeline includes treatments of hormonal
deficiencies, pain and central nervous system disorders, as
well as a contraceptive.
-- The company has completed 20 human clinical trials with 8
different drug products. The lead product, Evamist(TM)
(Estradiol MDTS(R)), is currently in a phase three clinical
trial in the USA.
-- Acrux has licensed USA rights for Evamist(TM) (Estradiol
MDTS(R)) and Testosterone MDTS(R) to VIVUS and AUS/NZ
distribution rights for Testosterone MDTS(R) and Fentanyl
UDTS(TM) to CSL Limited. Acrux has also licensed its
technology to Eli Lilly for veterinary healthcare products.