Atrix Laboratories Inc announced a worldwide license agreement with Arius Pharmaceuticals Inc to develop and market its Bema technology, including its Bema fentanyl product. All research and development related to the Bema technology, including three existing Investigational New Drug Applications (INDs), and certain manufacturing equipment will be transferred to Arius' facilities over the next several months, a company release said.

The Bema delivery system is a unique pre-formed biodegradable polymer disc developed by Atrix for either systemic (transmucosal) or local drug delivery. A Bema disc is well suited for drugs that require transmucosal delivery enabling one to overcome gastrointestinal transit or oral bioavailability problems.

Under the terms of the agreement, Atrix will receive an upfront licensing fee from Arius. In addition, Atrix may receive additional cash payments upon achievement of certain developmental and regulatory milestones and reimbursement for research and development support. A joint development management committee comprised of representatives of each company will oversee product development.

In addition, Atrix will receive royalties on commercial sales of all Bema products. Arius will be responsible for the research and development of the products, including costs and expenses, and for their sale, marketing and distribution. Atrix retains co-promotion rights to the Bema fentanyl product.

"We are pleased to have found such a focused partner in Arius," said Michael R Duncan, Atrix's vice president and general manager. "We believe this agreement has the potential to move Bema projects forward and bring renewed commitment to this delivery system," he added.

"The license to the Bema technology gives us a drug delivery platform from which we will launch many of our drug development and potential commercialization initiatives," said Mark Sirgo, Arius' president and chief executive officer. He added, "We are particularly excited about the advanced stage of the Bema Fentanyl product which we plan to pursue aggressively. The agreement fits into our sublicensing strategy and makes the Bema technology available to other pharmaceutical companies in need of a robust transmucosal delivery system."

Arius Pharmaceuticals, located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina is a privately held, specialty pharmaceutical company focusing on the development and commercialization of supportive care prescription products for treating acute conditions common in cancer and surgical patients such as nausea, vomiting and pain.