DSM and Caliber team up to develop drug delivery balloon

The accord, which will combine a customised version of DSM’s Trancerta drug delivery platform with Caliber’s TADD balloon technology, aims to develop a system capable of delivering optimal drug doses.

Herman Betten, DSM’s senior external communications manager told in-Pharmatechnologist.com that the market for balloon catheters to treat vascular disease has tremendous potential.

“Stents and then drug eluting stents have been a huge growth area and have clearly succeeded in helping patients with vascular diseases. However, there are clear issues with stents and we see the drug delivery balloon technology as an exciting potential next generation treatment,” he said.​

Betten explained that DSM had decided to partner with Caliber on the project because of the firm’s “strong management and the ability to move quickly​.” He also cited the fact that Caliber is part funded by US venture capital group Accelerated Technologies as a factor that had attracted the firm.

In a press statement, Steve HArtiq, president of DSM Biomedical said that: "By developing this novel drug delivery device we contribute to addressing a disease that affects tens of millions of people worldwide. I am convinced that our materials' competencies and Caliber Therapeutics' pre-clinical and clinical expertise will prove a successful combination in the development and commercialisation of this novel drug delivery device​."

Oded Ben-Joseph, CEO of Caliber echoed this opinion, commenting that: "We are excited to co-develop a truly transformative and highly versatile platform with our friends at DSM. We believe that this technology will allow for superior drug transfer efficiency into the vessel wall and will open up multiple cardiovascular indications that are currently inaccessible to stenting​".

Atherosclerosis​

The initial focus of the project, atherosclerosis, is a condition in which plaque builds up inside the arteries. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances.

Over time, plaque hardens and narrows the arteries, reducing the flow of oxygen-rich blood to organs. Atherosclerosis can develop into Coronary Artery Diseases (CAD), the leading cause of death in the western world.

Both DSM and Caliber plan to expand the project to include other vascular disorders if the initial stages are successful.