Daiichi-Ranbaxy to supply Nuvo’s wound healing agent Oxoferin in Asian countries

Daiichi-Ranbaxy has tied up with Canada-based transdermal drug development firm Nuvo Research Inc to supply a topical wound healing agent Oxoferin in some Asian countries.

Daiichi-Ranbaxy will suppy Oxoferin in Malaysia, Cambodia, Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar and Singapore under license from Nuvo Research.

The Oxoferin supply deal has been signed between Dimethaid GmbH, the German subsidiary of Nuvo and Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd.

Oxoferin is marketed by Dimethaid Gmbh and its partners in parts of Europe, Asia and South America under several trade names including Oxoferin and Oxovasin and it is currently in the process of obtaining marketing approval in Russia.

Under the terms of the agreement, Nuvo will manufacture and supply Oxoferin to Ranbaxy, while the latter will be responsible for obtaining regulatory approval in the licensed territories and has committed to minimum annual purchase quantities once approved.

Oxoferin is a diluted form of Nuvo’s immune modulating drug candidate WF10.

WF10 focuses on supporting the immune system by targeting the macrophage, a type of white blood cell that coordinates much of the immune system, to regulate normal immune function.

In conditions such as Allergic Rhinitis, the body’s immune system inappropriately responds to the presence of foreign allergens.

Research suggests that in some cases, WF10 may rebalance improperly functioning immune systems.

Oxoferin has a positive impact on wound healing leading to contraction, closure and faster healing of wounds. Chronic, hard-to-heal wounds are a serious problem with an increasing incidence, according to Nuvo.

Chronic wounds can be caused by such conditions as burns, pressure sores and poor circulation in the lower extremities. Co-morbid conditions such as diabetes and atherosclerosis reduce blood flow to the extremities and also increase the likelihood of developing chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers and venous ulcers.

The immune system provides an essential defense to micro organisms, cancer and substances it sees as foreign and potentially harmful. WF10 focuses on supporting the immune system by targeting the macrophage, a type of white blood cell that coordinates much of the immune system, to regulate normal immune function.

Nuvo is developing Oxoferin with the support of Development Bank of Saxony in Germany (SAB). Apart from the recently announced support of financial support for Nuvo’s co-operative drug development project with the Fraunhofer Institute of Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI to include pre-clinical and early clinical development of WF10 as a treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis, the SAB has now announced additional fundings for the research, reveals the Nuvo officials.This support is in addition to the SAB’s financial support for the ongoing pre-clinical and clinical development of WF10 as a treatment for Allergic Rhinitis.

SAB has now committed to provide funding over a three-year period of approximately US$ 3.5 million towards the US$ 6 million estimated cost of these two development projects that are being conducted in Leipzig, Germany by Nuvo Research GmbH, a Nuvo subsidiary.

“These agreements provide further evidence of the potential for WF10,” stated Henrich Guntermann, president and chief executive officer of Nuvo Research. ”

Nuvo is primarily focused on the research and development of drug products delivered to and through the skin using its topical and transdermal drug delivery technologies.

Nuvo’s lead product is Pennsaid, a topic