Glide Pharma secures further funding to accelerate development programme

UK-based speciality pharma company Glide Pharma has raised a further £2.2m (Euro 2.8m) to develop the Glide SDI solid dose injector.

The copany says the funding comes at an exciting stage in its development as it targets the biologics injectables market, which is forecast to grow to more than US$50bn (£29bn; â"šÂ¬37bn) by 2012. The Glide SDI is now in feasibility studies for delivering vaccines and biopharmaceuticals with five partners, three of whom are new partners for 2008.

The Glide SDI is a pen-like device that uses a simple one-click action to push the solid dose, in the form of a tiny, pointed rod, through the skin where it subsequently dissolves to release the drug or vaccine to the body. Using a solid dose not only improves stability, but also avoids time-consuming reconstitution steps, and eliminates the risk of needle-stick injuries. In patient acceptance trials, participants expressed a preference for the Glide SDI system over a traditional injection.

"This funding reflects the major progress.we have made in positioning the Glide SDI system as a mainstream alternative for the injection of small molecules, biopharmaceuticals and vaccines," said Glide Pharma's ceo Dr Charles Potter. "With five external funded studies underway in addition to our internal drug development programmes for octreotide and fentanyl, we feel confident in moving forward. Preliminary data from these studies, together with a vaccine feasibility study with the UK's National Institute of Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), is already extremely encouraging."