Many biotechnology firms are focused on developing new drug delivery platforms. There are many reasons and several different methodologies biotechs large and small use to replace the conventional approaches of oral and injectable delivery methods. Some “heavy hitting” reasons for the quest are to reduce stress on the liver and to improve patient compliance.
Alliqua, Inc., a New York based advanced biomedical products company, is committed to the development and manufacturing of proprietary drug delivery with an emphasis on a transdermal platform. For those unaware, “transdermal” is exactly what it sounds like; drugs delivered through the skin. Most of the population has heard of “the patch” as a means of quitting cigarette smoking; which represents an example of transdermal drug delivery. The approach offers multiple advantages over conventional drug delivery systems including not only the concerns mentioned above, but also by being non-invasive, permitting for lower dosage levels and avoidance of sending drugs through the gastrointestinal system.
Alliqua is a diversified biotech which operates through its wholly-owned subsidiaries Alliqua BioMedical, Inc., HepaLife Biosystems, Inc. and AquaMed Technologies. AquaMed manufactures custom hydrogels that are not only used for transdermal drug delivery, but also wound care, medical diagnostics, and cosmetics. AquaMed is amongst the world’s elite in this field as it is believed that there is only one other company that develops this type of gel. More specifically, the gels are known in the healthcare industry as high water content, electron beam cross-linked aqueous polymer sheet hydrogels. HepaLife Biosystems, Inc. focuses on the development of a cell-based bioartificial liver system, known as HepaMate™. The HepaMate system is designed to combine blood detoxification with liver cell therapy to provide whole liver function in patients that suffer from the worst forms of liver failure.
Today, Alliqua announced that it has filed a provisional patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to protect its intellectual property on the transdermal delivery technology. The filing was based on positive test results with respect to specific chemical agents that improved the delivery of active ingredients when used in conjunction with the Company’s hydrogel drug delivery platform. The patent application is directed to specific formulations that management believes will enhance the performance of its platform.
David Stefansky, Chairman of Alliqua, Inc. stated, “This patent filing is the second in a series of filings that we hope to continue as we develop additional improvements and processes. These filings are a meaningful step in building our intellectual property portfolio, strengthening our drug delivery platform position, and in increasing shareholder value.”
Investors are apparently becoming more aware of this multi-faceted biotech. Shares have been on a steady climb since briefly touching 8 cents in August of 2010. Notably, volume has been increased dramatically recently as the price per share surged to a new 52-week high on the final day of April by hitting 30 cents. On a typical pullback at the moment as profit takers secure their gains from a recent sharp move upward, shares appear to be settling once again and looking to push upward.
With many irons in the fire and an aggressive schedule to bring products to market in an accelerated manner, Alliqua may soon be coming across the radar screen to an even larger portion of the investment community.
More information on Alliqua and its subsidiaries can be found on the Company’s website at www.alliqua.com
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