Pharmalink buys Synartro’s product candidate to treat inflammation associated with osteoarthritis

Consisting of an anti-inflammatory drug conjugated to a biopolymer, the new product candidate has been developed using Synartro’s drug delivery technology to create locally acting pharmaceuticals with limited systemic exposure.

Pharmalink intends to further develop the product for this indication after it showed promising results in osteoarthritis in pre-clinical studies.

The company said it will apply its formulation and clinical development expertise to advance the candidate product through clinical trials towards market.

Pharmalink managing director Johan Häggblad said: "This candidate product offers exciting potential for development in multiple inflammatory indications where local administration of the drug without systemic effects is important. It is also a good strategic fit with our existing clinical-stage portfolio."

Pharmalink’s most advanced product is Nefecon, a new oral, modified-release capsule of the corticosteroid, budesonide.

Nefecon is in Phase IIb clinical development to treat patients with IgA nephropathy at risk of developing end-stage renal disease, despite optimized standard-of-care therapy.

Currently, Pharmalink has two late-stage clinical phase products under development, Nefecon and Busulipo.