Tocovite claims its technology delivers

Melbourne-based company Tocovite claims an absorption system that it has developed could improve drug delivery through the skin.

Tocovite is one third owned by Vital Capital, a listed pooled development fund (ASX: VIT) with investments in biotechnology and plastics.

Researchers from Victoria University's School of Life Sciences and Technology have shown that the technology doubles the amount of oestradiol absorbed through the skin of animals in the study.

Previously, the company had demonstrated that Vitamin E delivered via Tocovite's proprietary technology had up to 17 times more penetration through the dermis and had increased bioavailability once in the body.

The technology is based on a method of phosphorylation that makes certain classes of fat-soluble drugs water-soluble and increases bioavailability.

According to Prof Andrew Vizard, chairman of Vital Capital, the method is cost-effective.

Tocovite has filed 14 patent applications on the method and its applications.

"The Company has identified some 200 drugs currently on the market that could have their administration, absorption and bioavailability made significantly more effective with the new platform technology," said Tocovite director Harry Rosen.

The company believes that their technology could potentially apply to about 15 per cent of drugs currently on the market.

According to Vizard, Tocovite is planning to target an initial group of 14 drugs in three primary categories. These include:

• Drugs with poor water solubility requiring toxic carriers such as some IV delivered drugs, anaesthetics, and anti-cancer agents,
• Drugs with clinical efficiency but quite low oral bioavailability,
• Drugs delivered dermally - including hormones and drugs for chronic pain management.

As announced late last year, Tocovite is in the process of splitting into two companies to better commercialise its technology. Vital Capital will retain its equity in each company.

Australian-based Vital Health Sciences will develop applications for personal care, human nutrition and animal nutrition.

US-based Vital Biosciences will focus on the development and commercialisation of pharmaceutical applications. Vital chose to set up the new company in the US due to its position as the largest pharmaceutical market for its technology.

According to Vizard, key personnel have been appointed to manage Vital Biosciences, including Howard Nelson as president of the US operations.