The commercialization team at Monash University (Australia) and the business development team at the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (MNHS) have entered into a shareholding and licensing agreement with BioArk (Monthey)-based spin-out Orio Therapeutics, to drive the development of a new drug delivery technology that could transform the field of regenerative medicine.
The new technology, developed by Orio Therapeutics co-founders Dr. Ziad Julier and Associate Professor Mikaël Martino, both of the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI) in the MNHS Faculty at Monash University, modifies therapeutic proteins to improve delivery, through controlled, slow release and consistent dosing that remains at the injection site, enabling better therapeutic effects at lower doses.
Dosage-control technology
Most protein-based therapeutics used in regenerative medicine have limited success due to sub-optimal delivery systems that may require high doses of therapeutic protein that diffuse rapidly from the injection site. This can necessitate frequent and high dosages, with attendant negative side effects and high costs. By maintaining precise control over delivery, the technology ensures that the therapeutic protein remains at the injection site, where local action is crucial for tissue regeneration and repair.
This new technology could transform the field of regenerative medicine and revolutionize the approach to tissue regeneration and repair, while addressing unmet medical needs and improving patient outcomes. The technology is also adaptable enough to enhance almost any therapeutic protein that can benefit from local delivery. As its first product candidate, Orio Therapeutics is focusing on the development of a cardioprotective drug for the care of patients following a heart attack.
From Melbourne to Valais
Dr Julier and Associate Professor Martino will lead the commercialization process through Orio Therapeutics to facilitate engagement with a range of potential investors and industrial partners internationally. In this case, Orio Therapeutics has chosen The Ark Foundation‘s Swiss incubator and established one of its offices at the BioArk technology site in Monthey, Switzerland, to support commercialization.
Ziad Julier, co-founder of the company, was enthusiastic about the collaboration with Monash University: “This partnership represents an exciting opportunity to bring our revolutionary drug delivery technology to the forefront of regenerative medicine. With the support of Monash, we aim to revolutionize patient care and move the field forward.”
To continue its development, Orio Therapeutics is currently seeking seed capital to expand the team and undertake preclinical studies. To find out more, visit the Orio Therapeutics website.
