Enzian Pharmaceutics improves delivery of cancer therapies

Enzian Pharmaceutics Blaesi AG has invented a new dosage form for solid oral medications that is particularly beneficial for cancer therapies, according to a company press release. It consists of a cross-layered structure of cellulose fibers. This expands in the stomach due to the absorption of water and forms an expanded viscoelastic gel. As a result, the medication is released at a constant rate over a longer period of time.

Until now, such solid oral medications have mainly been administered in the form of capsules and tablets. But they only stay for two to three hours. As a result, the maximum concentration of the active ingredient is high, which leads to acute side effects, and the minimum concentration is low, which impairs the effectiveness of the therapy.

The new concept developed by Enzian was validated in a two-part study(1, 2) on dogs and pigs. It was carried out at the Diagnostic Imaging Research Unit at the University of Zurich 's Animal Hospital. The study showed that the gentian dosage form remains in the stomach for about a day, then dissolves and is safely excreted. A subsequent four-part study(3, 4, 5, 6) showed that the dosage form releases anticancer drugs into the blood of dogs at a constant rate and concentration.

According to Dr. Aron Blaesi, founder, CEO and chief scientist, Enzian has been working on validating the dosage forms in humans in its laboratories at Technopark Zurich since 2023. The company has been based in Obervaz since 2016. ce/mm