Nanotherapeutics, Inc., announced that it has filed an Investigational New Drug (IND) Application with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for NanoDTPA an orally administered capsule that is a less invasive treatment alternative to the FDA approved injectable Zn-DTPA (diethylenetriamine pentacetic acid). DTPA is used to remove radioactive compounds from the body to help eliminate the contamination. The NanoDTPA capsule is a unique orally -bioavailable fine particle formulation that allows DTPA to be absorbed into the body from the gastrointestinal tract.

Nanotherapeutics began development of NanoDTPA with funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) under a competitive program, Development of Improved DTPA for Radionuclide Chelation. While DTPA can be used for exposure to radioactive nuclear materials from a spill or “dirty bomb” attack, as an intravenous formulation, it is not practical for treating a widespread population. The NIH contracted with the company to develop a more practical easier-to-administer alternative.

Preclinical studies of NanoDTPA Zn-DTPA capsule demonstrated strong pharmacokinetic and safety profiles. The IND will allow the company to begin clinical trials of the capsule to determine dosing, safety, and efficacy of this alternative formulation. There is also potential for use of NanoDTPA for iron chelation to treat iron overload.

Nanotherapeutics has also announced that patient enrollment is underway in a phase I safety and immunogenicity study for its GelVac H5N1 Influenza Vaccine. GelVac is a nasal dry-powder formulation of the inactivated vaccine. The new formulation represents a novel approach to vaccine stabilization and delivery, which offers distinct advantages in meeting the critical needs of pandemic preparedness. The nasal dry-powder formulation has the potential to increase efficacy with reduced dosing, improve immune response, and provide higher shelf-life stability.

GelVac is based on the company’s GelSite polymer platform, a distinct and inert ionic polysaccharide (polygalacturonic acid) that enhances the immune response through prolonged nasal residence and sustained antigen release by an in situ gelation mechanism. The GelVac platform combines the advantages of powder formulation and nasal delivery and is potentially well suited to meet the critical needs of influenza pandemic preparedness and epidemic control.

Nanotherapeutics, Inc. is a privately held biopharmaceutical company with a major focus on developing a diversified proprietary pipeline of products having both biodefense and medical applications.