Enteris BioPharma Initiates Business and Development Activities Targeting Oral Delivery of Peptides and Small Molecule Therapeutics

BOONTON, N.J., Aug. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Enteris BioPharma, Inc., an industry leader in innovative oral dosage formulations, today announced the official launch of its business, operational and development activities as the Company unveils enhancements to its clinically proven oral peptide delivery platform, Peptelligence™, that extend the technology to small molecule therapeutics.  Enteris recently acquired the Peptelligence™ platform, along with proven nasal delivery technology and a recombinant manufacturing process for therapeutically relevant peptides, from Unigene Laboratories, Inc.

In conjunction with the launch of the company and its expansion to oral delivery of small molecules, Enteris has appointed Brian Zietsman as President and Chief Financial Officer, Nozer Mehta, Ph.D., as Chief Scientific Officer and Paul Shields, Ph.D., as its Vice President of Operations.   Mr. Zietsman, Dr. Mehta and Dr. Shields will spearhead Enteris' mission of developing and delivering innovative formulation solutions for peptides and small molecules that leverage the Company's breakthrough delivery platform technologies including Peptelligence™. 

Mr. Zietsman commented, "I greatly welcome the opportunity to lead Enteris BioPharma as we seek to become the industry leader in the oral delivery of peptides and difficult to deliver small molecule therapeutics.  As a company, we are focused on solving challenging formulation issues for our partners using our proprietary, clinically-proven Peptelligence™ technology in combination with our formulation development and manufacturing expertise.  In doing so, we are targeting the myriad therapeutic indications in which physician acceptance and patient compliance can be improved through more convenient and effective medications."

Peptelligence™ is a clinically proven formulation technology that enables the oral delivery of BCS class II, III and IV compounds in an enteric-coated tablet formulation.  Peptelligence™ has demonstrated a track record of clinical success across a range of compounds and therapeutic indications, including a pivotal Phase 3 trial.  The technology platform has been utilized in feasibility studies with many biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to successfully move their products into clinical development, thereby opening potential new avenues for patient care with a simple tablet dosage form.

Dr. Mehta added, "Leading Enteris' experienced and dedicated team of scientists, our goal will be to develop business and scientific initiatives with our partners to apply Peptelligence™ to currently marketed peptides and small molecules or to those in development, thereby helping patients in areas of unmet need, while increasing the potential effectiveness and marketability of a drug.  An elegant formulation solution, Peptelligence™ utilizes a unique multifaceted approach to increase the solubility, stability and absorption of peptides and small molecules in the digestive tract, while reducing variability and food effects."

Dr. Shields further added, "We offer our partners a turnkey solution to their formulation needs for molecules that are difficult to deliver orally. This includes an extensive array of pharmaceutical development services including formulation optimization, analytical method validation and GMP manufacturing of clinical trial materials. Our goal is to get our partners product into the clinic as quickly as possible, with minimum risk."

Mr. Zietsman, Dr. Mehta and Dr. Shields collectively bring more than 70 years of corporate, financial, scientific and operational experience to Enteris BioPharma.  Most recently, Mr. Zietsman, Dr. Mehta and Dr. Shields served in executive capacities at Unigene Laboratories, Inc. Mr. Zietsman was previously Chief Financial Officer of Unigene Laboratories, Inc.  Dr. Mehta held the positions of Chief Scientific Officer of Unigene Laboratories, Inc. from August 2012 to June 2013 and Vice President, R&D from March 2005 through August 2012. Dr. Shields previously served as Vice President, Manufacturing Operations for Unigene Laboratories from 2005 to 2013, Director of Plant Operations from 2001 through 2005, Plant Manager from 1995 through 2001, and in various other capacities with Unigene from 1989 through 1995.

Additional information on Enteris' executive management can be found on the "Leadership" page on the company's recently launched corporate website: http://www.EnterisBioPharma.com

About Enteris BioPharma
Enteris BioPharma, Inc. is a privately held, New Jersey-based biotechnology company offering innovative formulation solutions built around its proprietary delivery technologies.  Enteris' lead delivery platform, Peptelligence™, is a clinically proven formulation technology that enables the oral delivery of BCS class II, III and IV compounds, including peptides and small molecules, in an enteric-coated tablet formulation.  Peptelligence™ has demonstrated a track record of clinical success across a range of compounds and therapeutic indications, including a pivotal Phase 3 trial, and has also been the subject of numerous feasibility studies, several of which are in clinical development. For more information on Enteris BioPharma and Peptelligence™, please visit http://www.EnterisBioPharma.com.

SOURCE Enteris BioPharma, Inc.