ETI develops extended release SC depot formulation of NSAID drug meloxicam

Encore Therapeutics Inc. (ETI) has developed a proprietary extended release subcutaneous (SC) depot formulation (ETI-511) of the NSAID drug meloxicam. ETI-511 enables delivery of high concentrations of meloxicam to a localized area over an extended period of time and therefore provides a potential variety of new therapeutic applications for pain and inflammation indications such as Arthritis, localized trauma such as sports injuries and post-surgical analgesia / inflammation. The company is seeking development partners to commercialize ETI-511.

“The PG technology has the potential to provide localized extended duration of action for a wide variety of injectable drugs that can improve and expand the safety and clinical utility of many drugs.”

ETI-511 is a proprietary non-liposomal phospholipid gel (PG) formulation capable of delivering high doses of meloxicam SC in a single-phase, ready-to-use injectable depot formulation. ETI-511 therefore enables localized high doses of this potent NSAID at the therapeutic target that were heretofore not achievable with currently available oral formulations. This capability can potentially expand the therapeutic applications of meloxicam as well as reduce systemic side effects.

"The ability to deliver high concentrations of meloxicam to a defined site offers some exciting and new clinical utility to this already clinically important drug class and we are excited about exploiting such opportunities," stated ETI Chairman and CEO Dr. Paul J. Marangos. Dr. Andrew X. Chen, Chief Scientific Officer at ETI and the inventor of the PG technology, also noted, "The PG technology has the potential to provide localized extended duration of action for a wide variety of injectable drugs that can improve and expand the safety and clinical utility of many drugs."