Intranasal granisetron moves forward
This article was originally published in Scrip
Executive Summary
Japan's Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories (SNBL) has begun a US Phase II trial with a novel intranasal formulation of the anti-emetic granisetron. The self-dosed product is being developed by the firm's wholly owned Translational Research subsidiary and is delivered through a device developed by Bioactis, another SNBL company. The aim is to overcome problems with oral dosing in chemotherapy patients with nausea and vomiting and the pain and inconvenience of injection. Phase I data showed rapid absorption, with 70% of the maximum blood concentration achieved within 10 minutes, high bioavailability and no irritation, SNBL said. It is also developing intranasal formulations of other drugs such as morphine, sumatriptan and insulin and plans to seek licensing or alliance deals for granisetron after the Phase II results.