Austin, TX, March 20, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Xeris") announces today that is has been granted U.S. Patent No. 8,110,209, "Intracutaneous Injection," modernizing drug and biologic injections by making them easy-to-use and patient-friendly. The new technology will enable biologics that are typically given as aqueous injections to be reformulated into a biocompatible, ultra-concentrated, non-aqueous suspension. Different from their predecessors, these suspensions can be directly injected without reconstitution saving time during medical emergencies related to Type 1 diabetes and epilepsy among other diseases.
Dr. Steve Prestrelski, Chief Scientific Officer and co-founder of Xeris, explains that this patent will support immediate and sustained release formulations." As part of Xeris’ core technology platform "the ultra-concentrated suspensions will allow for simpler, more comfortable, pain-free injections improving patient care and quality of life."
Intracutaneous Injection has broad applications in the development of reformulated drug products. The technology will remove many of the barriers to patients starting and maintaining injectable therapies, many of which include medications that are inherently unstable in aqueous solutions.
The first application of this formulation technology will be the development of an injectable form of diazepam for the emergency treatment of seizures. Currently, the standard of treatment for cluster seizures requires the use of diazepam as a rectal gel which can be complex and burdensome, especially when a non-medical professional is not present. With funding from the Epilepsy Therapy Project and the Epilepsy Foundation secured in December 2011, Xeris will leverage the new patent to create a product that is easy to administer and patient-friendly. The patent’s breadth and versatility will allow for the development of products across drug classes including peptides, proteins, and small molecules.
About Xeris
Xeris is a specialty pharmaceutical company based in Austin, Texas. Xeris develops injectable therapeutics to treat endocrine and metabolic diseases. Its low-volume and ready-to-use pharmaceuticals enable more convenient and patient-friendly devices through the subcutaneous delivery of highly concentrated, non-aqueous paste and liquid formulations. Its delivery technologies eliminate reconstitution, simplify administration, and ease the pain of injections for millions of patients and caregivers. For more information please visit the Xeris website at: www.xerispharma.com.
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