Ferring Pharmaceuticals, CTCBIO seal deal

FERRING Pharmaceuticals has entered into an agreement with Seoul, South Korea-based CTCBIO Inc. to acquire rights to a novel oral drug delivery technology.

 

Under the terms of the agreement, which involves an undisclosed up-front payment, milestone and royalty, the two companies will develop prototype formulations for in-vitro and in-vivo testing. They will also collaborate on the required subsequent up-scaling to manufacture the technology and meet worldwide good manufacturing practice (GMP) requirements.

 

Saint-Prex, Switzerland-based Ferring Pharmaceuticals is a research-driven, specialty biopharmaceutical group active in global markets. It has established a name by developing oral formulations for peptide drugs, including the world’s first orally active peptide, desmopressin MINIRIN®, and the fast dissolving lyophilisate MINIRIN MELT. 

 

A growing specialist company, CTCBIO has developed successful manufacturing technologies for more than 30 different drugs, including treatments for dementia and asthma. Founded in 1995, the biotechnology company operating in South Korea and internationally develops pharmaceutical products and food additives, and technology for functional foods and dairy products. It also provides various bacteria to develop products. 

 

Per Falk, MD, PhD, executive vice president and chief scientific officer at Ferring Pharmaceuticals acknowledges the company’s pioneering work in the development of novel oral drug delivery technologies.

 

“Our portfolio of peptide therapeutics makes us an attractive partner for speciality technology-based companies like CTCBIO to collaborate on new approaches for oral drug delivery of peptides and proteins," Falk said.

 

According to CTCBIO vice president Dr. Jeon Hongryeol, “Keeping the active pharmaceutical ingredient stable and secure is critical. This technology makes this possible and is particularly useful for hydrophilic macromolecules like peptides and proteins while offering the advantage of oral administration.”