Critical Pharma and University of Nottingham to develop nasal spray for osteoporosis
With funding from the Technology Strategy Board and EPSRC
Critical Pharmaceuticals, an emerging biotechnology company, and The University of Nottingham in the UK are collaborating to develop a nano-enabled intranasal formulation of teriparatide for the treatment of osteoporosis.
The Technology Strategy Board and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) are supporting this project with £545,000 in grant funding as part of their investment in nanoscale technology enabled solutions in healthcare.
Teriparatide is currently administered through a daily injection. The consortium will exploit a recent discovery in nanotechnology to develop a nasal spray formulation of teriparatide that is easy to administer and provides optimal drug plasma levels to enhance efficacy.
Critical Pharmaceuticals’ CriticalSorb nanotechnology absorption promoter enables the nasal delivery of biological and small molecule drugs.
The firm, based at BioCity Nottingham, has used the technology to develop a nasal formulation of CP024, a human growth hormone in Phase 1 development.
Critical Pharmaceuticals’ chief executive Dr Gareth King said: ‘We are excited about working with internationally-recognised clinicians and scientists at The University of Nottingham and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust to rapidly develop this innovative formulation of teriparatide and look forward to the day we can offer it as an attractive alternative to daily injection.’
