Phosphagenics to use new adhesive for pain patch

Phosphagenics (ASX:POH) plans to change the adhesive used in its TPM/oxycodone pain relief patch after testing alternatives likely to solve a crystallisation problem in the current design.

The Melbourne-based drug delivery company revealed that its researchers have tested several alternatives to the proprietary adhesive developed by 3M, its first partner in the pain patch design.

During in vitro testing the alternatives have so far demonstrated increased oxycodone delivery, without any crystallisation.

In late May, Phosphagenics announced it had engaged Germany's Labtec GmbH to help iron out the prototypes' minor crystallisation problems for the final design of the patch.

In light of the identification of potentially better-suited adhesives, Phosphagenics revealed that it will now conduct the R&D program to design the final patch exclusively with Labtec.

Research to identify the adhesive that will be used in the patch, and optimise the formulation, will also be conducted at Labtec facilities.

But it insisted that it will continue to work with 3M, and that their arrangement remains in place in all other respects, with 3M remaining a candidate for international manufacturing.

Labtec specialises in opioid patch development, having designed the current best-selling fentanyl patch on the German market.

TPM/oxycodone uses Phosphagenics' targeted penetration matrix drug delivery technology to deliver doses of the opioid oxycodone.

The company is also developing a delivery system for anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac using the same TPM platform, and in March signed a pre-licensing deal for the product with Japan's Nippon Zoki Pharmaceutical.

Phosphagenics (ASX:POH) shares were trading 3.23% higher at $0.160 by around 2:30pm on Tuesday.