From research to market
- Wits University
Wits transfers lipid formulation tech, made to enhance drug delivery and efficacy, to Afrigen Biologics.
The Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform (WADDP), a leader in novel drug delivery solutions, has developed and transferred proprietary lipid formulation technology to Afrigen Biologics.
This is an important milestone for the pharmaceutical sciences and precision medicine fields.
WADDP’s lipid formulation technology, made to enhance drug delivery and efficacy, could target cardiovascular diseases, cancer and infectious illnesses.
After undergoing rigorous development and optimisation, the lipid formulation has now been fully transferred to Afrigen Biologics. Now, scale-up and the implementation of good manufacturing practice (GMP) at the company’s facility are possible.
A lipid-based delivery system uses tiny, fat-like particles to enhance the absorption and targeting of drugs in the body, resulting in more effective and stable treatments compared to traditional methods. (Traditional methods in this case involve simple lipid-based carriers that have less precise control over drug release, stability and targeting).
In particular, the newly developed lipid system is designed to enhance the stability and bioavailability of dosed bio-metals, such as iron. This augurs well for conditions such as anaemia, which carries a high global health burden and affects nearly a quarter of the world’s population. Women are impacted most, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
In addition to improved iron supplements, the newly developed lipid system can also be used in antimicrobials (for infectious diseases) and cancer therapies.
Professor Yahya Choonara, WADDP Director and Principal Researcher, emphasised the importance of this achievement: “This successful transfer demonstrates our ability to bridge the gap between lab-based research and commercialisation. This has been a good exercise in translational research. Our expertise in pharmaceutical sciences ensures that partners like Afrigen receive a robust, scalable, and well-characterised product ready for the next phase of development.”
Choonara explains that the technology transfer process was designed to be seamless. He and his WADDP team, comprising Dr Mduduzi Sithole, Dr Mershen Govender, and Professor Pradeep Kumar, provided comprehensive documentation and process training protocols to Afrigen Biologics. This enables Afrigen to initiate process intensification, scale-up, and qualification for GMP production, bringing the technology closer to real-world application.
“The lipid system has also been developed to meet stringent regulatory standards crucial for its future use in clinical trials or commercial deployment. This positions Afrigen well to take the next steps in bringing this innovative solution to market, potentially benefiting patients worldwide,” says Choonara.
Professor Petro Terblanche, CEO of Afrigen Biologics, says,” This collaboration with WADDP demonstrates the power of academic, private partnerships in technology development for improved healthcare solutions. The liposomal iron formulation technology further diversifies Afrigen’s formulation capabilities and product portfolio and demonstrates our ability to receive and transfer technology across platforms for pharmaceutical products as well as mRNA vaccines.”
With the technology transfer complete, Afrigen will move forward with additional clinical development, regulatory submissions, and commercial manufacturing, guided by specific strategic objectives. WADDP will be available for ongoing technical support as required.
This collaboration between WADDP and Afrigen Biologics not only highlights Wits’ leadership in drug delivery systems but also sets the stage for future innovations in the pharmaceutical industry.