APR Applied Pharma Research s.a. and Labtec GmbH Have Signed a new Strategic Partnership for the Development and Licensing of the RapidFilm™ Drug Delivery Technology

Balerna (Switzerland) and Langenfeld (Germany). After the success of the previous Partnership on the Ketoprofen Patch which has been developed by the two companies and then licensed to Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: ENDP) for US and Canada and to Zambon Group of Italy for the rest of the world, APR of Switzerland and Labtec of Germany have signed a strategic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement for the development and licensing of the RapidFilm™ Drug Delivery Technology.

Balerna, Switzerland & Langenfeld, Germany (PRWEB) March 16, 2006 -- After the success of the previous partnership on the Ketoprofen Patch which has been developed by the two companies and then licensed to Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: ENDP) for US and Canada and to Zambon Group of Italy for the rest of the world, APR of Switzerland and Labtec of Germany have signed a strategic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement for the development and licensing of the RapidFilm™ Drug Delivery Technology.

RapidFilm™ is a novel proprietary oral drug delivery technology platform consisting of a very thin polymeric film strip incorporating and delivering pharmaceutical active ingredients (alone or in combination): the RapidFilm has the size of a stamp and - once placed in the mouth - dissolves in a few seconds and is swallowed with the saliva without the need of taking water. The RapidFilm™ technology secures patient compliance by eliminating swallowing difficulties. The technology is complemented by a superb tastemasking technology as well as innovative packaging.

APR and Labtec have already selected a list of drug candidates in different therapeutical areas to be developed using this platform technology: in particular the companies are developing products in alzheimer´s disease, schizophrenia, antiemesis, pain as well as some dietary supplement products primarily targeted for pediatric use. Development of the a.m. active ingredients has already started.

“We are extremely proud about this new Partnership with APR: there are several therapeutical areas where the RapidFilm technology can be successfully used and applied” says Ingo Lehrke, Managing Director of Labtec “we have already proven in the past that even small drug delivery companies are able to deliver and offer readily available marketing opportunities to the pharmaceutical companies by means of joining forces and resources to develop innovative drugs using their own platform technologies”, he added.

“We are convinced that this RapidFilm™ Technology well fits in specific therapeutical areas where, in addition to the classical advantages to the consumers such as ease of use and portability, there are specific medical needs to be addressed such as avoiding water when antiemetic drugs have to be administered” says Paolo Galfetti, Managing Director at APR;

About APR Applied Pharma Research is a privately owned internationally oriented Drug Delivery company with registered offices in Switzerland. It is focused in the research & development of innovative and patented drug delivery systems as well as innovative pharmaceutical products primarily for oral and topical administration. The APR products and technologies are licensed to third parties for distribution and marketing activities. R&D activities are carried out directly or under contract. APR has signed licensing agreements with pharmaceutical companies in about 35 countries worldwide and its sales are almost totally achieved abroad.
Interview Contact:
Paolo Galfetti, Director of Licensing & Business Development    
Telephone: +41.91.6957020    
Website: www.apr.ch

About Labtec GmbH
Labtec GmbH is an innovative and internationally oriented pharmaceutical company, located in Germany. It is focused on research and development of drug delivery systems (transdermal delivery systems, buccal/gingival delivery systems, liposomes/nanosomes, fast dissolving dosage forms) and contract analytics & stability testing, according to the ICH standards. It has Research and Development partnership agreements with several large pharmaceutical companies throughout the world. Labtec has developed one of the first matrix type estradiol patches, which is marketed worldwide under the trade names Dermestril®, Tradelia® and Epiestrol®.
Interview Contact: Ingo Lehrke, Director of Licensing & Business Development
Telephone: +49.2173.97350
Website: www.labtec-pharma.com

Contacts:
Paolo Galfetti; Business Development & Licensing
APR Applied Pharma Research s.a., www.apr.ch
Via Corti 5, CH - 6828 Balerna, Switzerland
T: +41 91 6957020

Dr. Ingo Lehrke; Business Development & Licensing
Labtec GmbH, www.labtec-pharma.com/
Raiffeisenstrasse 3a, D-40764 Langenfeld, Germany
T: +49 2173 9735-0

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