The first two drugs under development using the Q-Sphera delivery system are the biosimilars, Q-Leuprolide (primary indications in prostate cancer and endometriosis)
Encapsulation of biotherapies into bioresorbable microspheres enables sustained and improved drug delivery. Q-Sphera is manufactured using Q Chip’s established bio-encapsulation platform which eliminates many of the limitations of conventional pharmaceutical microencapsulation methods. In particular, Q-Sphera microparticles are monodisperse with a CV (coefficient of variance) of less than 2%. Particle size significantly influences drug release characteristics and there is a direct correlation between consistent particle size and consistent drug release and therapeutic performance. Q-Sphera microspheres also typically have a high drug load with a correspondingly high activity.
Q-Leuprolide and Q-Octreotide are in pre-clinical phase with bioequivalence studies planned for completion in 2011.
“Our Q-Sphera technology has been perfected over the last 2 years to effectively protect and deliver biological molecules in a very controlled way”, said Ken Powell, Q Chip’s Executive Chairman. “Although realistic about the challenges, we are highly optimistic that these trials will be a success because of the significant advantages compared to conventional methods of encapsulation. As well as our advantageous technology, Q Chip is backed up by a management team that is experienced in the development of biopharmaceuticals augmented by a team of industry experts so we are well-placed to successfully deliver on this programme.”
