Ferring partners on nanotechnology in Brazil

Following up on their deal in May this year, privately-held Swiss drugmaker Ferring Pharmaceuticals and Aché Laboratórios Farmacêuticos have now announced the inauguration of their joint nanotechnology center in São Paulo, Brazil.

Focused exclusively on nanotechnology research and development, the center forms the first phase in a long term collaboration to optimize patient care through enhanced drug delivery systems and product solutions.

The Nanotechnology Innovation Laboratory Enterprise (NILE) center and associated research program will explore nanotechnology to advance the delivery characteristics of existing medicines, create novel devices and find new formulations for poorly soluble drugs. For example, for patients who currently receive treatment by injection, this new technology has the potential to transform their ongoing care with new oral options. Researchers will investigate how nanotechnology might improve the bioavailability, efficacy and safety profile of oral medicines, and alleviate any unwanted toxicity resulting from non-specific distribution.