Starpharma secures expanded deal with AstraZeneca

Starpharma (ASX:SPL) has revealed that AstraZeneca is evaluating using its dendrimer nanotechnology platform for a second oncology drug.

AstraZeneca is evaluating incorporating Starpharma’s DEP dendrimer drug delivery technology into one of the cancer treatments in its portfolio.

Commercial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.

The two companies signed an agreement in September 2012 giving AstraZeneca the right to evaluate using the platform for one of the cancer drugs in its development pipeline. This new agreement will extend the research to a second drug.

“AstraZeneca are a global leader in oncology treatment and we are very pleased to be expanding our relationship with them focused on improving the delivery and performance of oncology treatments,” Starpharma CEO Dr Jackie Fairley said.

Reformulating chemotherapies with Starpharma dendrimers has the potential to reduce side effects while improving efficacy, tumour targeting and water solubility.

Starpharma is using the platform to develop a dendrimer-infused version of popular chemotherapeutic docetaxel (Taxotere). The company secured approval in January to conduct the first human trials of the formulation.