Epitan and pSivida complete sustained-release study

A proof of concept study by Melbourne's Epitan (ASX:EPT) and nanotechnology company pSivida (ASX:PSD) has found that pSivida's BioSilicon technology can be used in a liquid-based sustained-release formulation of Epitan's tanning drug Melanotan.

The in-vivo study was conducted at the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science in Adelaide.

Melanotan had previously been delivered as a daily injection, requiring significantly higher quantities of the drug.

A full international patent filed by Epitan in February covers the collaboration work between the two companies.

"The pSivida technology is for practical purposes a liquid, so it can be administered with a much finer gauge needle," said Epitan's managing director Iain Kirkwood.

From here, the companies will be looking at developing a formulation that can be used in a human trial.

The solid implant will still be the first generation of Melanotan at this point in time, said Kirkwood. However, the collaboration could lead to a second-generation injectable Melanotan product.

"[The study] shows that a more user friendly technology has been shown to work with Melanotan. It is good for both of us." said Kirkwood.

In the future, consumers could conceivably have the choice of a solid implant or a liquid injection of Melanotan.

Kirkwood recently upped his holding in Epitan by 23,000 shares, worth AUD$10,200.