KU spinout CritiTech to partner with India-based drug formulation company
LAWRENCE — A pharmaceutical company based on University of Kansas technology has established a partnership with an India-based drug formulation company.
CritiTech, a drug development company that spun out of KU in 1997, will partner with Finoso Pharma on a joint venture to create better treatments with fewer side effects.
The partnership – called Finotech Pharma – will combine CritiTech's particle reduction technology with Finoso Pharma's expertise in drug formulation. The goal of the partnership is to design particles to be used in products that enable the delivery of intravenous suspensions, oral dosage forms and inhalation products.
As part of the joint venture, CritiTech will provide its fine-particle production equipment for Finoso Pharma's facility, located in Hyderabad, India. CritiTech is also providing new technologies, technical expertise and business and marketing support.
"CritiTech is pleased to be expanding the access to its technology in India to address emerging needs and improve access to technology that enables different drug delivery options," said Dr. David Johnston, CritiTech CEO. "India represents a key market for Finotech Pharma as we continue with our geographic expansion strategy."
CritiTech is a KU spinout based on technology developed at the university under the supervision of Bala Subramaniam, a University Distinguished Professor of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering and director of the KU Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis.
Subramaniam's patented process allows CritiTech to make very small particles, called nanoparticles, of existing drugs to enhance their delivery and effectiveness and improve drug manufacturing and development. CritiTech currently has a cancer drug called Nanotax in Phase I human clinical trials at the University of Kansas Cancer Center.
CritiTech is one of 23 active KU spinouts.
"It reflects well on our university when one of our KU startup companies goes on to do great things," said Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little. "CritiTech is an outstanding company that's doing great things in drug development, and we're proud to be part of their story."