MILAN, Italy, July 16, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Eurand N.V. (Nasdaq:EURX) and the Controlled Release Society (CRS) announced today that the 2008 Eurand Industrial Award has been presented to distinguished research scientist Felix Theeuwes, D. Sc., in recognition of his achievements in the field of the delivery of bioactives and for his exceptional contributions to the industry.
An independent judging panel, composed of internationally recognized, drug-formulation experts, unanimously selected Theeuwes for his invention of the ALZET(r) and OROS(r) technologies. ALZET(r) Osmotic Pumps are miniature infusion pumps for the continuous dosing of laboratory animals as small as mice and young rats. These minipumps provide researchers with a convenient and reliable method for controlled agent delivery in vivo. OROS(r) extended-release technology employs osmosis to provide concise, controlled drug delivery and is utilized in several high-profile extended release prescription products for the treatment of angina/hypertension, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), overactive bladder, allergy symptoms, hyperglycemia and bronchospasm.
"Eurand is pleased to honor Dr. Theeuwes for his long-standing personal and professional commitment to drug delivery," said Stephen Perrett, Director of Corporate Technologies and Product Portfolio for Eurand. "We hope that the Eurand Industrial Award, now in its ninth year, continues to inspire researchers around the world to strive for innovations that address the many complex questions we face in improving drug delivery."
Theeuwes is Chair, Co-Founder, and Chief Scientific Officer of DURECT Corporation. Theeuwes was with ALZA Corporation from 1970 until 1999, where he invented the ALZET(r) mini osmotic pump and invented and led the development of the OROS(r) technology and related products. He directed research and development in transdermal products, the electrotransport/iontophoresis program, and the DUROS(r) osmotic implant program. Theeuwes holds more than 210 U.S. patents covering these systems and has published more than 80 articles and book chapters.
The Eurand Industrial Award, sponsored by Eurand and presented each year in conjunction with the Controlled Release Society Annual Meeting and Exposition, recognizes innovations in oral drug delivery and the longstanding commitment to the improvement of drug formulations. Established in 2000, it is regarded as a premier industry award and is designed to encourage, recognize and reward innovative approaches in oral drug delivery. The Eurand Award is presented to the most innovative scientists in the field for their outstanding research efforts and for their work in advancing oral drug delivery.
About Eurand
Eurand is a specialty pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes enhanced pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products based on its proprietary drug formulation technologies. Eurand has had four partnered products approved by the FDA since 2001 and has a pipeline of product candidates in development for itself and its collaboration partners. Eurand completed two phase III clinical trials for EUR-1008 (Zentase), intended for the treatment of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency and, as announced on June 18, 2008, received an approvable letter from the FDA for its NDA for this product. Eurand's technology platforms include bioavailability enhancement of poorly soluble drugs, customized release, taste-masking/fast-dissolving formulations and drug conjugation.
Eurand is a global company with facilities in the U.S. and Europe. For more information, visit Eurand's website at www.eurand.com.
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