Singapore: Australian drug delivery technology company, Phosphagenics highlighted that it has achieved all end points of its important phase I trial of its oxymorphone patch by successfully delivering the powerful opioid into the bloodstream via its patented TPM transdermal skin patch.

The single dose phase I study, conducted at the CMAX independent clinical research facility, based at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, established that a single dose application of the patch was able to successfully deliver oxymorphone into the bloodstream for the 72 hour duration of the study.

Phosphagenics CEO, Dr Esra Ogru, said that the "outstanding" phase I results validated further clinical development of the company's oxymorphone patch. Dr Ogru said, "The phase I results are an important milestone in our opioid program. We now plan to progress the further development of the oxymorphone patch in tandem with our TPM oxycodone patch for the management of chronic systemic and topical pain."

Phosphagenics is progressing rapidly with preparations for the next stage of its clinical development of the oxymorphone patch. It expects to undertake both a multidose and phase II clinical trial in the second half of 2013.

Oxymorphone is a semi-synthetic molecule which is 3.5 times more potent than oxycodone and seven times more potent than morphine. It has low bioavailability when delivered orally and is, therefore, an ideal candidate for transdermal delivery. Transdermal delivery of pain medications has considerable advantages over other delivery forms.