Rhenovia Pharma, a biotechnology company specialized in the application of biosimulation to the research and development of new medicinal products, announced that its SMARTT e-Patch project has won an award at the ‘World Innovation Challenge’; founded by the President of France to identify future champions in the French economy.
 
The innovative patch caters to the need for controlled administration of medicinal products in treating chronic conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. Support from the French State's programme  of investment for the future will help to industrialize the production of the patch within five years. The world market in this field is estimated to exceed EUR 22 billion (USD 31.5 billion) by 2015 (source: MarketsandMarkets, April 2013).
 
A combination of population aging and various environmental factors are leading to the proliferation of chronic conditions such as vascular, inflammatory and neurological disease. Currently, around fifty per cent of patients fail to take orally-administered drugs correctly (WHO, 2012). The use of chronobiological polytherapies and controlled dosages is therefore essential for a growing majority of patients. Rhenovia’s electronic transdermal patch offers a solution that can automate the administration of essential medicinal products.

The SMARTT e-Patch is a transdermal patch, which allows the controlled administration of up to seven medicinal products through the use of an inbuilt electronic system programmed by the treating physician. Initially designed to make it easier for patients suffering from nervous system disorders such as Alzheimer’s to take medicinal products, Rhenovia’s patch can be extended to support a significantly larger range of conditions.

By enabling the chronobiological administration and controlled dosage of medicinal products, it has the effect of increasing efficacy, improving bioavailability and minimizing side effects. The transdermal patch also prevents doses being missed or taken erratically by patients who are confused, or who require third party assistance.

The Innovation Commission 2030 is chaired by internationally-renowned French businesswoman Anne Lauvergeon. It was .set up in April 2013 to identify seven thematic objectives based on major societal expectations and growth sectors. These objectives will form the essential pillars to ensure long-term prosperity and employment in France. The French State launched the World Innovation Challenge on December 2, 2013 to support and develop the future champions of the French economy.

As part of the Challenge, a first wave of 625 innovative international projects was submitted to French public investment bank BPI France. Of these, 134 were shortlisted and 58 made the final selection. The list of winners was revealed on March 20, 2014 by France’s Prime Minister. There were 13 award-winners in the strategic area of personalized medicine, including Rhenovia’s SMARTT e-Patch project.

The world market for the transdermal administration of medicinal products is valued at USD 31.5 billion (EUR 22.8 billion) for 2015 (source: MarketsandMarkets, April 2013), with annual growth of around 8%. Of equal interest to the pharmaceutical industry and to health authorities and patient groups, transdermal administration is set to account for 17% of the world market for medicinal product administration by 2017. These forecasts are based on the use of passive transdermal patches only, which do not offer the advantages of the solution developed by Rhenovia.

A patent was filed in 2012 for Rhenovia’s intelligent transdermal patch. It combines a number of technological innovations, including an ultra-slim battery, a printed electronic circuit on a flexible substrate, UV-LED ink, a novel photolabile ligand, transdermal nanovectors and non-contact programming.

“In singling out the SMARTT e-Patch project, the World Innovation Challenge panel has highlighted the innovative nature of our intelligent transdermal patch and the appropriateness of its response to a major health challenge and its huge commercial potential,” said Serge Bischoff, CEO of Rhenovia. “The support of the French government, and the engagement of our partners, particularly in the Alsace region, mean that we can now accelerate its development and plan for market launch in less than five years.”

The development of Rhenovia’s transdermal patch will result in the creation of a new entity to raise the funds required for its development and secure strategic partnerships with industry players in the health care sector. Meanwhile, Rhenovia, a world leader in central nervous system biosimulation, will continue its development in the research and development markets for medicinal products, agri-food and defense.

Rhenovia Pharma SAS is a French biotechnology company founded in 2007 by an international team that brings together managers from large pharmaceutical companies and world experts in neuroscience and nervous system modeling.