Radius, 3M sign development agreement for transdermal delivery of BA058

Radius Health Inc. and 3M Drug Delivery Systems announced a collaboration on the development of a transdermal delivery option of BA058, Radius’ proprietary parathyroid hormone-related protein analog, for the treatment of osteoporosis.

According to a press release, the BA058 Microneedle Patch will reportedly use 3M’s Microstructured Transdermal System microneedle technology to administer BA058 through the skin, as an alternative to subcutaneous injection. The BA058 patch is expected to combine the attributes of a transdermal patch with those of a traditional injection. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“Poor adherence to prescribed osteoporosis therapy is a common and serious problem. Patients who drop their treatment unknowingly place themselves at high risk of fracture, which exacts an enormous toll in terms of human and economic cost,” C. Richard Lyttle, PhD, president and chief executive officer of Radius, stated in the release. “By providing a more convenient treatment alternative to injection that can promote improved compliance, the BA058 Microneedle Patch will be well-positioned to drive expansion of the osteoporosis market.”

The BA058 Microneedle Patch is currently undergoing phase 1 clinical studies. Recently concluded phase 2 human testing of an injectable form of BA058 showed that BA058 significantly increased bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and femoral neck after 6 months of therapy.