Phosphagenics’ new opioid patch clears phase I

Phosphagenics (ASX:POH) has met the endpoints for a phase I trial of an oxymorphone pain patch. The patch, TPM-Oxymorphone, was able to deliver oxymorphone into the bloodstream over the 72-hour duration of the trial.

The single-dose study was conducted at the Royal Adelaide Hospital’s CMAX clinical research facility. The company had announced plans for the trials in January. Phosphagenics now plans to conduct a multidose and a phase II trial for TPM-Oxymorphone in 2H13.

The pain patch has been developed using Phosphagenics’ Targeted Penetration Matrix (TPM) drug delivery technology. It is modelled on the design of TPM-Oxycodone, the company’s lead opioid pain patch product, which is about to re-enter clinical trials. Once the trial concludes, Phosphagenics plans to file an New Drug Application with the US FDA.

Oxymorphone is 3.5 times more potent than oxycodone and seven times more potent than morphine, but has low bioavailability when administered orally.

Phosphagenics estimates that over $1 billion worth of opioids are delivered transdermally per annum, with the market currently dominated by fentanyl patches.

Phosphagenics shares were trading unchanged at $0.130 as of around 3 pm on Monday.