Portage Biotech Inc. announced that its wholly owned subsidiary Portage Pharmaceuticals Ltd. has successfully validated a new proprietary cell permeable peptide platform technology derived from human genes. This proprietary platform technology has been shown to efficiently deliver an active pharmacological agent or cargo into a cell without disrupting the cell membrane. 

 

Along with demonstrating that the delivery system is capable of carrying biologically active cargo to intracellular sites of action, the platform has favorable pharmaceutical properties simplifying formulation development for systemic and locally administered conjugates which will allow more rapid development of drug products. 

 

PPL has converted its previously filed provisional patent application for this delivery system to an international patent application that includes a variety of structures utilizing cargos that address important areas of medical need. 

 

PPL has prioritized inflammation as an area with a large therapeutic opportunity. 

 

Using a cargo peptide against an anti-inflammatory target, PPL has demonstrated not only cell penetration but also convincing in-vitro and in-vivo pharmacological effects mediated intracellularly. The lead compound is being evaluated in several animal models of human inflammatory disease that will determine its first indication. 

 

Date: July 14, 2014

Source: Portage Biotech