Novavax Announces Positive Preclinical Results

Novavax has announced positive results from preclinical studies applying its proprietary micellar nanoparticle (MNP) technology to transdermally deliver five drugs.

The preclinical data represent proof of principle that the company's MNP technology is capable of transdermally delivering clinically relevant amounts of nonhormone drugs into systemic circulation.

The five drugs include three nonhormone candidates: NX-300, fentanyl for pain management; NX-301, nicotine for smoking cessation; and NX-302, clonidine for hypertension. The two hormone candidates are NX-200, norethindrone for female hormone replacement and NX-201, ethinyl estradiol, which when combined with norethindrone, is used as a contraceptive.

In addition to achieving clinically relevant blood concentrations of each candidate, these results confirmed that MNP delivery technology can establish a drug depot in the application area and thereby provide for an extended drug release.