Intec reaches deal with LTS Lohmann to manufacture its Parkinson’s drug candidate

Intec Pharma, the maker of the Accordion delivery platform, is partnering with LTS Lohmann Therapie-Systeme of Germany to manufacture its lead drug candidate Accordion Pill carbidopa/levodopa, designed to treat severe symptoms in advanced cases of Parkinson’s disease.

Israel-based Intec is currently manufacturing the drug at its facility in Jerusalem. Under terms of the partnership, LTS will produce the AP-CD/LD capsules at its facility in Andernach, Germany, once the production line is completed, the company said. Financial terms of the partnership weren’t disclosed.

“This is a key achievement for Intec as we near completion of our pivotal Phase 3 Accordance clinical trial in advanced Parkinson's Disease patients and advance our pre-commercial strategies for AP-CD/LD," Jeffrey Meckler, Intec’s chief executive, said in a statement.

Intec’s Accordion platform is a gastroretentive delivery system designed to improve the absorption of poorly soluble drugs in the gastrointestinal tract. The technology incorporates a biodegradable polymeric film folded into a regular capsule. When released, the structure unfolds into an accordion shape and can be retained in the stomach for up to 12 hours, releasing the contained drug there in a more controlled manner than by oral consumption alone.

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In addition to the Parkinson’s candidate, which delivers a combination of carbidopa and levodopa to treat symptoms of the neurological disorder, Intec has also been working on a candidate to treat insomnia and one for treating ulcers in the bowel.