BioTech Startup Advanced Preclinical Studies For Topical Osteoarthritis Drug With Cutting Edge Technology

In less than three years, BriOri has developed a next generation topical osteoarthritis drug with the potential to neutralize inflammatory pain and render opioid use obsolete for osteoarthritis of the knee. Osteoarthritis remains a highly prevalent disease in the elderly, and there are currently no approved treatments that can modify the disease course. For pain control, both oral and topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), i.e., cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, are frequently used to reduce pain and joint inflammation. However, oral therapeutic doses may cause gastrointestinal bleeds and cardiovascular events. Topical NSAIDs applied to the point of pain will reduce the systemic exposure and reduce side effects while alleviating pain.

BriOri BioTech began working to repurpose a COX-2 inhibitor from an oral to a topical formulation. However, reformulating the product was not an easy process. They needed to change the way the drug is absorbed into the body. Once completed they used a CRO to continue diffusion experiments on human skin.

Learn how with a variety of solutions from Waters, Inc. helped them to obtain impressive results from the pre-clinical studies and move towards obtaining the financing to conduct clinical trials in a short amount of time.