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David Pfeiffer

Nitric BioTherapeutics, Inc.

215-788-6200

dpfeiffer@nitricbio.com

 

 

 

Nitric BioTherapeutics Acquires New Technology Platform and Clinical Development Programs from Transport Pharmaceuticals

 

 

Bristol, PA, Dec 10/ -- Nitric BioTherapeutics announced today that it had purchased the intellectual property and related assets for an iontophoresis drug delivery platform technology from Transport Pharmaceuticals Inc. of Framingham, MA.  The acquisition of this technology, including advanced clinical programs for the treatment of oral herpes (cold sores) and onychomycosis (toenail fungus), adds to the current gNO (nitric oxide gas) development program, for which the most advanced product is the topical application of gNO for the treatment of moderate-to-severe tinea pedis (athlete’s foot).  Iontophoresis is the use of electrical current to enhance the penetration of drugs through biologic tissue, including skin and nails.

 

“The acquisition of this technology from Transport significantly enhances the number of products that Nitric Bio has in clinical development” said Frank J. McCaney, President and CEO of Nitric BioTherapeutics.  “The treatment of onychomycosis is currently a $2 billion market, and only 5% of patients with onychomycosis currently seek professional care.  The new iontophoresis technology, which delivers large amounts of drug in a targeted fashion directly to the site of infection, shows great potential to be an efficacious, simple, in-office onychomycosis treatment performed by podiatrists and dermatologists.”

 

“The oral herpes product has been shown to be effective in a Phase 2 clinical trial.  The oral herpes market is valued at well over $1 billion in sales.  Importantly, the purchase of these assets provides Nitric Bio with a proven drug delivery platform through which existing drugs used to treat a variety of dermatologic conditions can be enhanced and applied through iontophoresis to enhance drug penetration and clinical efficacy, while significantly minimizing side effects.  This new technology, in addition to our gNO platform, positions Nitric Bio as a leading developer of novel drugs for the dermatology and podiatry markets.” 

 

Nitric BioTherapeutics is a venture-backed biopharmaceutical  company developing drugs for the treatment of topical fungal infections, oral herpes, and the resolution of infections.  Nitric Bio has two broad technology platforms.  The first is the use of topical application of nitric oxide gas (gNO).  Nitric oxide has significant broad spectrum antimicrobial effects, including potent effects against drug-resistant bacterial strains and fungal infections, as well as effects on inflammation, collagen production and blood flow.  Nitric Bio is pursuing human clinical work in a number of indications as an anti-infective agent for treating or preventing fungal, bacterial and parasitic infections.  The lead gNO development candidate is a product for the treatment of moderate-to-severe tinea pedis (athlete’s foot), which is currently in Phase 2 clinical trials.  Nitric Bio will also continue the development of products to treat onychomycosis and oral herpes that use the iontophoresis technology platform.  More information on the company can be found at www.nitricbio.com