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Proprietary nasal delivery formulation of diazepam for the treatment of epilepsy developed by CDMO, Particle Sciences, a Lubrizol LifeSciences company, has been submitted as a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. FDA by San-Diego-based Neurelis Inc.
VALTOCO™, previously referred to in clinical development as ‘NRL-1’, is the lead product candidate of Neurelis, which worked closely with Particle Sciences on the formulation of the diazepam nasal spray designed to treat acute repetitive seizures in patients over the age of six.
Using its DOSE® platform that combines empirically obtained data with customized solubility software based on Hansen solubility parameters, Particle Sciences was able to achieve extremely high levels of solubilized diazepam using a benign vehicle that is compatible with nasal delivery. The resulting absolute bioavailability of the VALTOCO intranasal formulation was 96% of intravenous diazepam in a Phase 1 cross-over trial of healthy volunteers.
The NDA for VALTOCO is a 505(b)(2) filing utilizing rectal diazepam gel, the only currently FDA approved therapeutic product for home treatment of acute repetitive seizures, as the Reference Listed Drug. The NDA is supported by further extensive clinical studies in healthy volunteers and patients with epilepsy, with more than 1,600 seizures treated to date with the nasal spray.
Dr Robert Lee, president of Particle Sciences said: “It’s rewarding to see VALTOCO reach this key milestone after Neurelis’ successful clinical trials. This product will bring positive improvements to the lives of many patients with acute repetitive seizures”.
Lee added “Nasal delivery is often an overlooked route of administration, but it can offer an ideal route and increase bioavailability for several drug types, particularly those designed to treat diseases of the central nervous system. We are seeing real growth in this area and expect to see an increase in demand for nasal formulations in the future as we continue to focus on the development of complex drug products.”
Craig Chambliss, President and CEO of Neurelis said: “Having assessed dozens of formulation approaches for solving the challenges with delivering intranasal benzodiazepines for epilepsy patients, we partnered with Particle Sciences to leverage their experience and expertise in solving for a formulation issue that has kept poorly soluble drugs from being developed for significant unmet clinical needs.”
There are over 3.4 million people with epilepsy in the United States with approximately 200,000 new patients diagnosed each year. Despite the availability of chronic, daily oral medications to control epilepsy, a significant number of these patients continue to experience seizures. Of these uncontrolled patients, about 170,000 are at risk for cluster or acute repetitive seizures.
Particle Sciences will be exhibiting at this year’s American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) PharmSci 360 from 4 – 7 November on stand 2319.
About Particle Sciences
Particle Sciences, a Lubrizol LifeSciences company, is an integrated provider of drug development services. Particle Sciences focuses on BCS II/III/IV molecules, biologics and highly potent compounds through a variety of technologies including emulsions, gels, micro and nano-particulates, drug/device combination products, solid solutions and others. Particle Sciences is FDA registered and DEA licensed. Through a full range of formulation, analytic and manufacturing services, Particle Sciences provides pharmaceutical companies with a complete and seamless development solution that minimizes the time and risk between discovery and the clinic. The company was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
About VALTOCO
VALTOCO nasal spray is a proprietary formulation of diazepam, delivered via a nasal spray formulation, developed for the management of pediatric, adolescent, and adult patients who require intermittent use of diazepam to control bouts of increased seizure activity, also known as cluster or acute repetitive seizures.
About Neurelis
Neurelis, Inc. is a privately-held San Diego-based specialty pharmaceutical company organized to license, develop, and commercialize product candidates for epilepsy and the broader central nervous system (CNS) market. Neurelis is leveraging its expertise in the development and commercialization of CNS compounds and strong relationships with leading researchers and clinicians in these markets to advance unique product candidates, such as VALTOCO, to address significant unmet medical needs.
About Lubrizol LifeSciences
Lubrizol LifeSciences is a preferred Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) partner for complex pharmaceuticals and high-end medical devices providing differentiated polymers and excipients, along with state-of-the-art design, development and manufacturing services to the healthcare industry.
About The Lubrizol Corporation
The Lubrizol Corporation, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a market-driven global company that combines complex, specialty chemicals to optimize the quality, performance and value of customers’ products while reducing their environmental impact. It is a leader at combining market insights with chemistry and application capabilities to deliver valuable solutions to customers in the global transportation, industrial and consumer markets. Lubrizol improves lives by acting as an essential partner in our customers’ success, delivering efficiency, reliability or wellness to their end users. Technologies include lubricant additives for engine oils, driveline and other transportation-related fluids, industrial lubricants, as well as additives for gasoline and diesel fuel. In addition, Lubrizol makes ingredients and additives for home care, personal care and skin care products and specialty materials encompassing polymer and coatings technologies, along with polymer-based pharmaceutical and medical device solutions.
With headquarters in Wickliffe, Ohio, Lubrizol owns and operates manufacturing facilities in 17 countries, as well as sales and technical offices around the world. Founded in 1928, Lubrizol has approximately 8,700 employees worldwide. Revenues for 2017 were $6.3 billion. For more information, visit Lubrizol.com.
