The $13m spray-on drug deal

A company, created after researchers in the Monash University's pharmacy faculty invented a method for delivering drugs through the skin, has secured a multimillion dollar deal to develop its drug delivery system for treating female sexual dysfunction and menopause.

Acrux secured the US$13.3 million deal with VIVUS Inc, a world leader in the research, development and commercialisation of products to restore sexual function.

Under the terms of the agreement, Acrux will receive more than US$13 million in licensing fees, as well as royalty payments upon the commercialisation of each product.

Dr Barrie Finnin, a senior lecturer in the Department of Pharmaceutics and chairman of Acrux's scientific advisory board, said the deal was a significant achievement and had given Acrux access to the biggest world market for women's health - the US.

Several years ago, Dr Finnin and Pharmaceutics department colleague Professor Barry Reed discovered that sunscreens increase the penetration of compounds through the skin. This knowledge led to the development of a device that, with a simple squirt, allows drugs to be delivered through the skin.

In 1998, Acrux was established so that the transdermal spray technology could be licensed from Monash University.

"Acrux's Metered Dose Transdermal Spray technology is the next generation of drug delivery. Using this spray is as easy as taking a pill with all the safety advantages of transdermal delivery," Dr Finnin said.

A phase two clinical trial is under way in Melbourne, where the transdermal spray is being used to deliver replacement hormones to women with low testosterone levels. Research has indicated that testosterone is effective in treating women with low sexual desire.

Item provided courtesy of Monash University