DEDICATED TO DISCOVERY
NeoPharm is a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, discovery, and commercialization of new and innovative cancer drugs for therapeutic applications. NeoPharm has built its drug portfolio based on its two novel proprietary technology platforms: a tumor-targeting platform and the NeoLipid® drug delivery system.
TUMOR TARGETING PLATFORM
The key to making a useful tumor-targeting drug is the targeting mechanism that selects tumor cells while ignoring healthy ones.
NeoPharm uses a recombinant protein IL13-PE38QQR (cintredekin besudotox) consisting of a single molecule composed of two parts: a tumor-targeting molecule (IL13) and a cytotoxic agent (PE38). IL13 receptors are found on malignant glioma cells, but not to any measurable degree, if at all, on healthy brain cells. Cintredekin besudotox is designed to bind to IL13 receptors on the tumor like a key fits in a lock. The cancer cell latches onto and absorbs the IL13 and the attached PE38. As a result, the cancer cell dies. Healthy brain cells are expected to be unharmed because they do not have the IL13 receptors, and thus do not ingest the PE38.
Cintredekin besudotox is currently in a Phase III clinical trial (the PRECISE Trial, www.precisetrial.com), and has received orphan drug designation in Europe and the U.S. as well as fast-track drug development program status from the FDA. Cintredekin besudotox was also selected to participate in the new FDA Continuous Marketing Application Pilot 2 Program which enables more frequent interaction with the FDA during the drug development process.
NeoLipid® DRUG DELIVERY PLATFORM
NeoLipid® technology uses an innovative liposome-based drug delivery system to deliver anticancer drugs to tumors. Liposomes are microscopic membrane-like structures created from lipids (fats). Because tumor cells need to consume large amounts of fats to sustain their extremely rapid growth, they recognize the liposomal drug as a potential source of nutrition.
NeoPharm believes NeoLipid® technology may have applications in a variety of other areas in addition to the drug product candidates in clinical development. Furthermore, NeoPharm is hoping to leverage NeoLipid® technology to develop therapeutic formulations of small molecules and biologic molecules such as siRNA and is currently conducting and planning research to investigate potential drug candidates.
