Parenteral Depots Offer $8 Billion of Reformulation Opportunities and a Strong Competitive Edge in Crowded Pharmaceutical Space

FALLS CHURCH, Va., Feb. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Technology Catalysts International (TCI), leading global consultants to the pharmaceutical industry, announced that research on trends and development in drug delivery have identified parenteral depots as key to reformulation of existing drugs with limited patent life, a different pathway for new drug development, and potential to offer a biosimilar product a competitive edge in a crowded pharmaceutical field.

In general, biopharmaceuticals are precluded from oral administration due to their size and susceptibility to degradation within the GI tract.  Consequently, most biopharmaceuticals are administered by injection, often multiple times per week.  Novel drug delivery systems such as depots, not only provide much needed relief to the patient in the form of less frequent injections but also offer biosimilar products a competitive edge over traditional dosage forms.

Technology Catalysts' newly-released report on "Parenteral Depot Technologies" identifies 35 companies actively developing parenteral depots categorized by polymer approach, branded/ generic products in development, and delivery vehicles that are open to licensing or other strategic alliance opportunities.  In addition, major depot-related activity within large and specialty pharmaceutical companies is discussed along with an overview of technologies to achieve sustained drug release for periods extending several months and at the same time, overcoming challenges such as premature drug degradation.

Dhiraj Chopra, Manager, R&D (Drug Delivery) for Bharat Serum & Vaccines, India states that parenteral depot injections are seen as having one of the greatest potentials in battling cancer and that Bharat has been very successful with their launch of leuprolide depot in India.  Besides leuprolide, the company has an impressive development effort under way for risperidone, octreotide, triptorelin, goserelin, leuprorelin, lanreotide, that could position Bharat as a global leader in depot injections and implants.  "Bharat is seeking potential business partners who offer complementary advantages for depot injection projects in Europe and the US," advises Dhiraj.

TCI's report also includes a market analysis of injectable depot technologies, sales of leading depot products in 2009, worldwide market growth from 2005-2009, market share by therapeutic category, role of generic chemicals and peptides, and product pipelines. Technology Catalysts forecasts the total parenteral depot market could approach nearly $8 billion by 2014.

To download a complimentary excerpt of this report, go to: http://www.technology-catalysts.com/reports_services/depot.asp

About Technology Catalysts International:

Technology Catalysts International ("TCI") was founded in 1979 and provides consulting services in technology transfer and business research. The company specializes in technology licensing, technology assessment, and business intelligence. With a focus on pharmaceuticals, drug delivery, consumer healthcare, and advanced materials/processes, TCI's core consulting services are based on continuous monitoring of technological product development activities on a global basis.  TCI is headquartered in the US and has offices in the UK, Germany, Czech Republic, China, Korea, Japan, India, and Latin America.

SOURCE Technology Catalysts International