EffRx Pharmaceuticals SA, the Swiss specialty pharmaceutical company, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded funding of EUR 5.9 million by the European Commission´s 7th Framework Programme. The grant supports a consortium project for the development of EX404, effervescent metformin soluble, for PCOS (Grant no. 602243) in adolescent girls.
The project, titled "Metfizz", is expected to run for 42 months. EffRx will co-ordinate the high-quality, pan-European consortium consisting of Klifo (DK), Sciprom (CH), Charles Campbell Associates (2000) Ltd. (UK), Sermes (ES), Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs) (FR), and the University of Liverpool (UK).
EffRx will be using its proprietary formulation technology to develop EX404 - an age appropriate formulation of metformin HCl - for adolescent girls, in a good tasting and appealing dosing form.
PCOS, a common disorder affecting 5-10% of women of reproductive age, is characterized by cystic ovarian morphology, androgen excess, and/or irregular periods. These symptoms emerge during or shortly after puberty and can result in distressing physical and psychosocial effects such as hirsutism (body and facial hair), and later be one of the major causes of infertility. While lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise are used for weight reduction, no approved therapeutic options are indicated for treatment of PCOS in adolescent girls.
EffRx, together with 4 SME-CROs and in conjunction with the Medicines for Children Research Network, through the University of Liverpool, will conduct the clinical study in 4 EU member states.
If clinically successful and approved, EX404 will be a PUMA (Paediatric-Use Marketing Authorisation) candidate and benefit from 10 years of market exclusivity in EU countries. EX404 is expected to be the first product in EffRx’s paediatric business segment.
Dr. Timo Schmidt, EffRx CSO, states; “This is a big step forward for EffRx to establish itself as a preferred supplier of paediatric medications in child-friendly dosing forms. We are very proud to be awarded this important grant and we are looking forward to kicking off this project with our strong consortium partners”.
About EffRx
EffRx Pharmaceuticals SA is an innovative specialty pharmaceutical company that exploits its proprietary technology platform to create Novel Therapeutic Entities.
EffRx strives to make existing good medicines better and thereby improve the quality of life of patients. EffRx targets improvements to leading medications, focused on convenience, compliance and tolerability, thus creating best in class products.
EffRx also focuses on creating Life Cycle Management opportunities for the pharmaceutical industry through its proprietary drug delivery technologies.
About FP7
FP7 is the EU´s main instrument for supporting innovative research in Europe, and has two main strategic objectives: to strengthen the scientific and technological base of European industry and to encourage its international competitiveness, while promoting research that supports EU policies.