Two New Jersey drug firms are combining their technologies to develop a portfolio of fast-dissolve drugs for the animal health market. Animal health company NewMarket Pharmaceuticals LLC of Princeton, N.J., and drug delivery technology company Catalent Pharma Solutions of Somerset, N.J., are developing five drugs that will combine Catalent’s Zydis fast-dissolve technology and NewMarket’s Direct Systemic Introduction technology. The initial drugs under development include NSAIDs, beta agonists, proton pump inhibitors and behavior modifiers for several species, including horses, dogs and cattle. The companies plan to expand into other classes, as well. Rapidly dissolving tablets provide treatment without the use of needles, according to NewMarket. The drugs are absorbed directly into an animal’s system, bypassing gastric absorption and metabolism and providing a greater amount of drug to the animal at a faster rate than conventional formulations, said David Rock, vice-president for research and development at NewMarket. <HOME>
