BTG licenses drug delivery system to Allergan

London

-BTG plc has licensed to Allergan exclusive worldwide rights to develop products for eye diseases and conditions using BTG’s drug delivery system (ReGel). Under the terms of the agreement, BTG will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and potential additional future milestones and royalties on product sales.

The drug delivery system is a novel thermosetting biodegradable gel that solidifies when injected into the body. It is designed to provide high local concentrations of a drug for a sustained period.

BTG is using the system with its investigational new drug (OncoGel) designed to deliver sustained high concentrations of the chemotherapy agent paclitaxel at the tumor site while minimizing exposure to other organs. An ongoing phase IIb study in patients with esophageal cancer is assessing the effects of the drug on tumor response and other measures, including survival, when it is administered in combination with chemotherapy and radiotherapy before surgery.