NexACT technology demonstrates ability to deliver Taxol subcutaneously

NexMed, Inc. (Nasdaq: NEXM), a specialty CRO and a developer of products based on the NexACT^® technology, today announced that pre-clinical results from the research and development group at its Bio-Quant subsidiary have successfully demonstrated the ability of the NexACT technology to deliver insulin and other large molecule drugs such as Taxol subcutaneously, in a depot-like fashion (or slow release) over a 24 hour period from a single injection.

Specifically, rodents that received insulin injections incorporating the NexACT technology showed bio-equivalency to Lantus^® in controlling glucose levels in the blood. Further studies in rodents showed that NexACT was able to deliver Taxol^® subcutaneously in levels similar to those previously observed in NexACT-based oral Taxol formulation without any apparent toxicity. Lantus, a product of Sanofi Aventis, is a commonly prescribed insulin injection for treating diabetes.

Dr. Bassam Damaj, President and Chief Executive Officer of NexMed, stated, “The results from these proof of concept studies in animals further illustrate that NexACT is a powerful and versatile drug delivery technology. The significance of the data, with insulin in particular, opens the door to improving the delivery of other peptides, such as GLP-1 and Glucagon. Additional studies are ongoing to extend the validation of NexACT into these and other classes of drugs.”

According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 23.6 million children and adults in the United States—7.8% of the population—have diabetes, which is a group of diseases marked by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action, or both. Diabetes can lead to serious complications and premature death, and is one of the fastest growing health problems in the United States. Total cost of treatment in 2006 was estimated to be approximately $174 billion.