Date:22/03/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/03/22/stories/2005032201540200.htm

Back Novavax ties up with Ranbaxy

Our Bureau

New Delhi , March 21

NOVAVAX Inc, a specialty biopharmaceutical company has entered into an agreement with Ranbaxy Laboratories to evaluate a new transdermal product. This product has been formulated using Novavax's proprietary micellar nanoparticle (MNP) technology.

In a statement, Mr Nelson M. Sims, President and CEO, Novavax Inc, said: "This agreement demonstrates the merits of our MNP technology to other companies as a value-added proprietary delivery technology for novel drug candidates. This is an example of the commercial and development opportunities micellar nanoparticle technology offers Novavax and our partners."

While the company did not divulge terms of the agreement, it said that Ranbaxy's payment to Novavax includes funding to complete a proof of concept study. Upon successful completion of the proof of concept study, the companies expect to enter into a broad commercialisation and development agreement.

Novavax's micellar nanoparticle technology involves the use of patented oil and water nanoemulsions that allow the topical delivery of drugs. This has been used in Estrasorb, marketed as a topical emulsion that delivers estrogen in a lotion-like formulation used by post-menopausal women.

The company sells, markets, and distributes a line of women's health prescription pharmaceuticals through its specialty sales force calling on obstetricians and gynaecologists throughout the United States. It also conducts research and development on preventative and therapeutic vaccines and proteins for a variety of infectious diseases, including HIV, influenza and SARS.