MilliporeSigma and InnoCore Pharmaceuticals have entered into a global agreement to provide InnoCore’s SynBiosys biodegradable polymer platform, which is used to develop sustained release solutions for biologics in injectable formulations.
 
“Until now, formulating large biological active pharmaceutical ingredients such as proteins and large peptides into long-acting sustained release formulations has been difficult, if not impossible,” said Andrew Bulpin, head of Process Solutions at MilliporeSigma. “This collaboration will bring long-acting release of protein therapeutics to market, allowing new and potentially life-changing treatments. It will also improve patient compliance by reducing dosing frequency and maintaining drugs at therapeutic levels longer.”
 
The new technology developed by InnoCore allows the development of injectable sustained release biologic formulations with conserved bioactivity of these sensitive molecules. The SynBiosys platform can be used for subcutaneous, intramuscular and site-specific injectable formulations in the form of microparticles and implants.
 
The companies will support customers with formulation, process development and manufacturing services in using this technology to develop injectable sustained release drug products to help overcome formulation challenges, particularly for large peptides and proteins. This new, large biomolecule formulation and delivery capability will be added MilliporeSigma’s existing portfolio of biodegradable polylactic acid and polylactic glycolic acid (PLA/PLGA) polymers for sustained release in liquid/parenteral formulations. The PLA/PLGA technology applies primarily to small molecules, small hormones and peptides.
  
Said Jan Hendriks, chief executive officer, InnoCore Pharmaceuticals, “We are very excited that we have been able to set up this important collaboration with MilliporeSigma, a company that is widely recognized in providing drug formulation solutions for the global life sciences industry.”