OctoPlus strikes delivery tech development pact with Novartis

Dutch biotech OctoPlus has struck a deal to use its controlled release technology to formulate a new compound for Novartis. The pact will put OctoPlus's drug delivery technology PolyActive to work on an undisclosed therapy, with the biotech company in charge up to in vivo feasibility.

"I am delighted to see our technology being evaluated by such a prestigious company as Novartis," says OctoPlus CEO Simon Sturge. "This along with the recent data on Locteron in more than 175 patients continues to build the strong support behind our PolyActive controlled release technology and our capabilities in this area."

Locteron is a controlled release formulation of interferon alpha for chronic hepatitis C. The therapy combines OctoPlus' PolyActive with Biolex's interferon alpha. PolyActive is one of three drug delivery technologies developed by OctoPlus. The company also boasts of OctoDEX--dextran-based microsphere delivery technology for proteins and particulate systems--and a biodegradable polymeric drug delivery system for the controlled release of peptides and small molecules.

- here's the OctoPlus release