Merck, the vibrant leading science and technology company, and InnoCore Pharmaceuticals Netherlands, have entered into a global cooperation agreement to provide InnoCore’s proprietary SynBiosys biodegradable polymer platform. The drug delivery platform can be used to develop sustained release solutions for biologicals in injectable formulations.

Sustained release solutions play an increasingly important role in drug formulation because they enhance patient adherence. The new proprietary technology developed by InnoCore Pharmaceuticals allows the development of injectable sustained release biological formulations with conserved bioactivity of these sensitive molecules. The SynBiosys platform can be used for subcutaneous, intramuscular and site-specific injectable formulations in the form of microparticles and implants.

Merck and InnoCore will support customers with formulation, process development and manufacturing services in using this technology to develop injectable sustained release drug products and overcome formulation challenges — especially for large peptides and proteins. This new, large biomolecule formulation and delivery capability complements Merck’s existing portfolio of biodegradable polylactic acid and polylactic glycolic acid (PLA/PLGA) polymers for sustained release in liquid/parenteral formulations. The PLA/PLGA technology applies primarily to small molecules, small hormones and peptides.