In Brief: SciGen, Institute of Drug Technology, Phosphagenics

SciGen (ASX:SIE) has executed a commercialisation agreement with Rangs Pharmaceuticals for the commercialisation of insulin in Bangladesh. SciGen already has insulin commercialisation agreements in place for India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The Institute of Drug Technology (ASX:IDT) will open and operate a second early phase clinical trial unit in Melbourne, in addition to its existing Adelaide based clinical unit CMAX. IDT anticipates the facility will be operational by August 2005.

A preclinical trial of Phosphagenics' (ASX:POH, AIM:PSG) drug delivery system TPM-01 has found successful delivery of the bio-active fragment of human parathyroid hormone through the skin. Parathyroid hormone is a naturally occurring polypeptide and can be used in the treatment of osteoporosis by daily injection. Phosphagenics has filed a new patent application to protect its discovery and now plans to conduct further trials using its drug delivery system for the delivery of insulin and other peptides.