AdSurf is a synthetic surfactant - a unique formulation of the naturally occurring phospholipids dipalmitoylphosphatidycholine and phosphatidyl glycerol
Britannia Pharmaceuticals and Bespak have announced that they have signed an agreement to accelerate the development of AdSurf, a novel clinical approach to the prevention of surgical adhesions that has been under development by Britannia since 1997. Britannia will remain responsible for AdSurf's clinical development, as well as the manufacturing scale-up of the active ingredient, while Bespak will invest in the development of a commercially viable delivery device for the product.
Britannia and Bespak will share investment in and any intellectual property resulting from this joint development.
The companies will also be seeking a licensing partner to assist them in bringing AdSurf to market and to manage worldwide sales of the product. Additionally, an income share agreement has been devised in which both companies will share in royalties from AdSurf sales as well as any milestone payments they receive from licensing partners. "We hear about the devastating effects that adhesions have on people's lives far too often," said Max Noble, managing director of Britannia Pharmaceuticals.
"Surgeons need access to treatments that are both easy to use and effective in preventing adhesions.
"We are thrilled to be working with Bespak to speed the availability of AdSurf to the patients and surgeons who need it.
"Bespak's wide-ranging expertise and significant experience in dry powder devices make them the ideal collaborator in this effort".
"We are delighted to be working with Britannia on this exciting product collaboration," commented Mark Throdahl, CEO of Bespak. "Our knowledge and experience in the development and commercialisation of delivery devices coupled with Britannia's promising proprietary AdSurf compound and knowledge of the market makes us confident in our ability to bring this encouraging new product to market faster to the benefit of patients, surgeons and healthcare providers alike".
Surgical adhesions commonly develop within three to five days after surgery, forming as a part of the body's healing process.
Adhesions occur when there is damage to the delicate surface coating of tissues during surgery, which can cause abnormal scar tissue to grow and connect tissues and organs that are not normally connected.
Surgical adhesions can occur after any surgery, but are commonly formed and cause problems following abdominal and gynecological procedures.
Adhesions affect up to 90 percent of patients following major abdominal surgery and 60-90 percent of women undergoing pelvic surgery.
The problems associated with adhesions include severe pain, infertility, and bowel obstructions.
Adhesions can only be diagnosed and treated with further surgery, and re-grow in 80 percent of cases after lysis.
In the United States alone, close to $2 billion are spent each year on hospital and surgery fees to correct the problems caused by adhesions.
AdSurf is a synthetic surfactant - a unique formulation of the naturally occurring phospholipids dipalmitoylphosphatidycholine (DPPC) and phosphatidyl glycerol (PG).
AdSurf is administered as a sterile dry powder prior to surgical closure.
The powder melts at just below normal body temperature and coats the internal surface tissues, replacing disrupted surfactant and thus preventing the formation of adhesions.
Compared to other adhesion prevention treatments, which are typically liquids or gels, the AdSurf powder has a unique ease-of-application advantage.
AdSurf is currently in Phase III clinical trials in the UK and Australia. Initial results from the trials are expected in Q4 2003.
