Starpharma tech applied to AstraZeneca cancer drug

Melbourne-based biotech company Starpharma has signed an expanded agreement with biopharma company AstraZeneca in the field of cancer medicine. The agreement follows on from an evaluation by AstraZeneca, which began in September 2012, of Starpharma’s DEP dendrimer drug delivery technology.

Starpharma uses its DEP technology to improve the performance of pharmaceuticals. The reformulation of various chemotherapies with a suite of Starpharma’s dendrimers has demonstrated advantages including improved efficacy, lower side effects, tumour targeting and improved water solubility in preclinical trials.

The new agreement will see the application of Starpharma’s technology to a cancer drug from AstraZeneca’s pipeline. AstraZeneca will investigate the potential benefits of the technology in some of its medicines, providing funding for a preclinical stage cancer research program to be conducted jointly.

“This alliance represents an exciting collaboration with an Australian-based company to combine the oncology treatments of tomorrow that AstraZeneca are developing with innovative delivery mechanisms from Starpharma,” said Mark Fladrich, managing director of AstraZeneca Australia.

Starpharma CEO Dr Jackie Fairley added, “Through partnerships with a global giant like AstraZeneca, we’re taking an innovative Australian delivery technology to the world stage and expanding the range of applications for it and benefits to patients.”