JAGO RESEARCH AG HAS 10 DRUGS IN CLINICALS BASED ON GEOMATRIX
Executive Summary
JAGO RESEARCH AG HAS 10 DRUGS IN CLINICALS BASED ON GEOMATRIX timed- release technology. Jago, headquartered in Zollikon, Switzerland, indicated that some of the clinical trial results from the 10 drugs currently under study will be presented to FDA as part of U.S. drug approval registrations. While Jago holds the licensing rights to the Geomatrix system, the initial technology was developed by three Italian scientists at the University of Pavia, Italy. The only drug approved to date that uses the Geomatrix drug delivery system is Rhone-Poulenc Rorer's sustained-release diltiazem product Dilacor XR ("The Pink Sheet" June 15, T&G-5), which FDA approved on May 29. The Dilacor XR capsules contain a "degradable controlled- release tablet formulation" that is designed to release diltiazem over a 24-hour period. Jago said it derives some royalties from the sales. Other drug-delivery technologies in development by the Swiss firm are an aerosol inhalation therapy system that uses non- chlorofluorocarbon-containing propellants and a sustained-release gel delivery system for topical products. Jago was founded in 1983 by Jacques Conilla, PhD, the firm's president, chairman and CEO. The company has 50 employees at its Zollikon facility and a smaller division of 30 employees based in Como, Italy.