Eiffel moves to Sydney

Melbourne’s loss was Sydney’s gain today, when drug re-engineering company Eiffel Technologies (ASX:EIF) announced it would be upping stakes and moving its head office to Sydney’s biotechnology neighbourhood of North Ryde, adjoining its new semi-commercial production facility.

Managing Director Christine Cussen says the move will bring Eiffel closer to many potential pharmaceutical-industry clients, but was also a “function of history and geography”, as Eiffel’s supercritical fluid technology was developed at the University of New South Wales.

“We really wanted all of Eiffel under one roof,” said Cussen. “It allows us to be more efficient and to improve communications.”

Eiffel’s proprietary supercritical fluid technology uses highly compressed gases to dissolve normally insoluble compounds. These ‘re-engineered’ proteins or pharmaceuticals are at least 10 times smaller than conventional drug particles, and are more soluble and more easily absorbed by the body.

Eiffel will conduct fundamental research work into re-engineering drugs for asthma and inflammation at the UNSW research facility, says Cussen. The new laboratories and semi-commercial production facility will be devoted to commercialisation work and will be capable of producing up to 300 grams of material at a time, enough for development programs. “That will be fully on line by June of this year,” she said.

“Firstly we have an in-house development program to develop improved forms of existing currently marketed drugs.

“[And we have] contractual obligations where we do work for third parties - this facility will allow us to make large quantities of material [which will be] a significant step forward.”

“The scaled-up facility brings us one step closer to realising the potential commercial value from supercritical fluid technology and intellectual property we have developed.”

Eiffel is currently focusing on developing improved forms of inhaled, transdermal or oral insulin, which will be more convenient for diabetics.