NexMed Presents NexACT Drug Delivery Data At AAPS

Scientists from NexMed, Inc. (Robbinsville, NJ) have been busy at the 1998 annual meeting of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (November 15-19, 1998, San Francisco). NexMed's scientific team has presented five papers on the company's NexACT acute transdermal delivery, a technology that greatly expands applications for many drugs by delivering them locally, through the skin.

Transdermal delivery is potentially safer, more effective, and less expensive for some drugs typically delivered systemically.

The presentations covered results from recent in-vitro studies that incorporate the NexACT penetration enhancers with different drug compounds, including diphenhydramine and hydrocortisone for skin irritations and allergies; flurbiprofen and ketoprofen for pain and arthritis management; and acyclovir for herpes treatment.

NexACT is a platform technology consisting of more than forty patented skin penetration enhancing molecules that contribute to the rapid absorption of an active drug directly to localized diseased sites. NexACT enhancer molecules—esters of fatty alcohols and amino acids or esters of fatty acids and amino alcohols—are structurally similar to the building block molecules of the lipid and protein components of the skin. The Company has several products under development based on NexACT, including the Alprox-TD and Femprox alprostadil treatments for male and female sexual dysfunction.

James L. Yeager, vice-president of R&D, believes NexACT will expand the utility of existing generic drugs. "Our research substantiates the versatility of NexACT for use in a wide-variety of topical drug products where improved skin permeation of the active drug is needed for a better clinical result. Our research also shows that under normal physiological conditions, very little of the NexACT enhancer enters systemic circulation, thus reducing the potential for systemic toxicity."

Vivian Liu, NexMed's VP of corporate development, suggested the benefits of NexACT could extend to drugs not originally intended for transdermal delivery. "We're always looking for opportunities to apply NexACT to new compounds," she said. "So far we have data on more than 20 compounds. But for now we're focusing on Alprox-TD, for erectile dysfunction, and FemProx, the equivalent product for females."

The prostaglandin active in these products are generic, off-patent drugs that are currently administered either by injection or by suppository. Liu told Pharmaceutical Online that NexMed has done some work on ketoprofen and ibuprofen (analgesics) and acyclovir (herpes). These drugs are currently administered systemically, which may not always be necessary. Delivering them directly to diseased tissue would cut down the dose, reduce side effects, and perhaps make these drugs more effective.

NexACT

NexACT is a patented acute transdermal drug delivery system that represents a breakthrough, so to speak, in transdermal treatment. It offers a platform for multiple product development whereby drugs, especially generics with proven efficacy and safety profiles, may be combined with the NexACT enhancers for new topical applications.

NexACT's forty-plus patented skin penetration-enhancing molecules contribute to the rapid absorption of an active drug directly to localized diseased sites. The advantage of NexACT is that it enables rapid delivery of high concentrations of an active within a short period of time as compared with the slower, older systems. NexACT enhancers are non-toxic, easily absorbed through the skin, and may reduce the side effects occurring with oral medications.

For more information: Vivian Liu, VP, Corporate Affairs, NexMed, Inc., 350 Corporate Blvd., Robbinsville, NJ 08691. Fax: 609-208-1868.