Rexahn and TheraTarget sign research agreement

US firms Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, a clinical stage pharmaceutical company specialising in potential oncology and CNS medicines, and TheraTarget, a developer of polymer therapeutics to treat cancer, have signed a research agreement in which TheraTarget will synthesise and supply Rexahn with polymer drug conjugate products. Rexahn, based in Rockville, MD, hopes to expand its targeted drug delivery product line through the alliance.

"We believe that combining TheraTarget's nanotechnology target drug delivery with Rexahn's existing portfolio of potent anticancer compounds and strong oncology discovery platform may help us develop more effective and less disruptive cancer treatments for patients," said Chang Ahn, chief executive of Rexahn.

The compounds to be synthesised are composed of chains of polymers, to which anti-cancer drugs are attached. They are able to target cancerous cells and deliver the cell-killing agents. Because of their high molecular weight, the compounds stay active in the bloodstream longer than conventional pharmaceuticals, thereby enhancing dose efficacy.

Hamid Ghandehari, co-founder of TheraTarget, based in Salt Lake City, said these compounds could offer a better treatment option to patients because of their specific tumour delivery properties. "In addition, because the active agents for these product candidates have been used to fight cancer for decades, they are well-characterised, which should be helpful as we look ahead to the FDA review process," he added.

The agreement includes the exchange of scientific and technological information and technological research materials.