Durham, NC – Germany-based Grünenthal Group has selected Patheon as its “preferred development partner” for products made using INTAC technology, designed to reduce the potential for abuse of controlled substances.
Under the strategic agreement, Patheon will assist with the development of advanced INTAC-based products, including single-entity and fixed-dose combination solid oral dosage forms with immediate and modified release properties.
The proprietary Grünenthal INTAC platform helps prevent abuse through crush resistance. Its tamper-resistant opioid products include several that are FDA-approved using the technology.
The German company plans to install specialized equipment at Patheon’s Cincinnati manufacturing site to take advantage of Patheon’s local technical capabilities and simplify manufacturing, according to the companies.
Grünenthal has expanded the INTAC platform beyond extended release formulations to immediate release as well as modified release dosage forms of single-entity and fixed-dose combination products, allowing it to offer the technology now for a broader variety of drugs and abuse deterrent applications.
“It is recognized in the healthcare industry that prescription drug abuse is an issue of growing concern in the United States,” Klaus-Dieter Langner, chief scientific officer at Grünenthal Group said. “Typically it is opioids, CNS depressants and stimulants that are the three most established drug classes that are abused. Novel formulation technologies will help reduce that abuse potential.”
Mike Lehmann, executive VP of global sales and marketing for Patheon said the agreement represents the deeper, collaborative relationships the company is pursuing in pharma ranging from emerging companies to large multinationals.
The Grünenthal Group, based in Aachen, Germany, is an independent, family owned, international research-based pharmaceutical company with affiliates in Europe, Latin America and the U.S. It employs some 5,300 workers worldwide.
Durham-based Patheon, with approximately 8,700 employees worldwide, provides outsourced pharmaceutical development and manufacturing services globally.
(Sources: Associated Press and Business Wire)
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