Singapore: Australian drug delivery technology company Phosphagenics has appointed US pharmaceutical consulting company, Neura Group, the consulting unit of the pain specialty company, Neura Therapeutik, to provide strategic commercial and development advice for its TPM or oxycodone patch development program.

The pain specialty company, established by former Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and King Pharmaceuticals executives in 2010, has extensive experience in the commercialisation and development of analgesics, primarily in the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and opioid classes of the pain market.

Members of Neura's management team have launched some of the largest US analgesic brands, including the first transdermal pain patch, Duragesic and Vicodin ES tablets, as well as directing pain franchise build outs for pharmaceutical companies.

The appointment will enable Phosphagenics' access to substantial development, clinical and commercial expertise in the field of pain management.

Phosphagenics CEO, Dr Esra Ogru, said the strategic partnership would assist with development, approval, partnering and marketing processes. The companies would collaborate to ensure all appropriate commercial parameters were considered in the design of the pivotal phase III program.