CyDex Inc announced an agreement regarding its advanced formulation system Captisol. The Agreement provides Merck the ability to utilize Captisol in limited human clinical development studies.

"We are excited that Merck has selected Captisol as a drug delivery vehicle to enable the scientific evaluation of important drug candidates," said Edward W. Mehrer, president and CEO of CyDex. "Merck's impressive scientific capabilities and global presence make it an outstanding partner for CyDex."

In the agreement, CyDex grants Merck the ability to utilize Captisol in early development clinical studies. Several compounds have been selected as potential candidates for the Captisol technology.

Captisol enables the safe, effective delivery of medications by improving the solubility, stability and bioavailability of drug compounds. Captisol is a donut-shaped molecule that complexes water insoluble active drugs in its central cavity. When given by injection, a Captisol-Enabled formulation helps carry a drug into the patient's bloodstream, where Captisol and the drug dissociate, allowing the active ingredient to produce its desired pharmacological effect. In oral formulations, Captisol can improve bioavailability by improving the solubility and dissolution of drug compounds.