Extend Biosciences Inc. is developing a novel drug delivery platform technology that improves the pharmacokinetic properties of peptides and proteins. Peptides have been particularly challenging to bring to market because they are broken down prior to administering therapeutic value. The proprietary platform technology developed by Extend significantly improves the circulating half-life and bio-availability of peptides and proteins, enabling the scientific community to truly develop potent and specific drugs. Proof-of-concept studies showed that attachment of this proprietary modification extended the half-life of a peptide from 22 minutes to 8 hours. Extend technology also improved the absorption and bioavailability of a small, labile protein 675-fold when administered subcutaneously. Use of this technology has the potential to reduce the amount of drug needed for injections, as well as the frequency of injections, and would allow for efficient subcutaneous administration.
