Camurus

In 2007, British investors evaluated six nominated private companies and chose to Camurus as the best privately owned biotechnology company in the Medicon Valley.[3] The company was awarded the Strictly Financing Award 2007. In 2013, Camurus was awarded CPhI Pharma Award for Best Innovation in Formulation.[4]

Camurus' FluidCrystal are available as injectable depots and topical bioadhesive delivery technologies. By encapsulating the drug compound in the nanostructures, injectable depots are able to deliver therapeutic levels of drug substance over extended periods from a single injection. This leads to a decrease in traditional side effects associated with high initial drug release on injection (drug burst), poor drug stability, and complex processing requirements, making the system highly suitable for sustained parental delivery of peptides, proteins, and small molecule drug compounds.[6] The topical delivery system creates a bio-adhesive film that provides local and continual release of drug compounds. The delivery system is suited for delivery of peptide, protein, and small molecule drug compounds and can be applied to dermal, buccal, ophthalmic, nasal, vaginal, and other topical surfaces.

Camurus has partnered with Colgate-Palmolive for the marketing of their Elyzol dental gel for the treatment of parodontitis.[7] Elyzol 25% dental gel contains metronidazole in the form of metronidazole benzoate as the active substance. Metronidazole is an antibiotic active against those organisms that are predominant in the subgingival flora in adult periodontitis, but does not affect helpful aerobic bacteria.[8]

Oral mucositis is a severe side-effect of chemotherapy or radiotherapy during cancer treatment, and is often a dose-limiting factor in treatment. episil is administered as a lipid-based liquid that spreads on the intra-oral mucosal surfaces and transforms to a strongly bioadhesive FluidCrystal film that mechanically protects the sensitized and sore epithelium of the oral cavity.[9] It has been demonstrated in several clinical trials that episil gives an immediate and significant reduction of pain. This analgesic effect was maintained over at least 8 hours following administration. The treatment was reported to be safe and well tolerated. The product is registered as a medical device in a wide range of countries, including the European Union and the United States.

CAM2029 is a product for the treatment of acromegaly and carcinoid tumours. CAM2029 was assessed in a double blind, randomized, parallel-group, placebo controlled Phase I trial. CAM2029 is partnered with Novartis.

CAM2032 is a new drug being developed for long-term treatment of prostate cancer, with development also initiated for endometriosis. Camurus has completed a Phase IIa clinical trial of CAM2032 in patients with advanced metastatic prostate cancer.

CAM2038 represents a new treatment concept for opiate addiction based on the well-documented anti-addiction therapeutic buprenorphine. CAM2038 is developed as a sustained release injection depot.