Multiplexed Molecular Penetration Enhancer (MMPE™) Technology
Nuvo's pipeline of internally generated prospective drug candidates for delivery to or through the skin have been developed using the expertise and testing capabilities of Nuvo’s scientists. The outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, functions as an extremely effective barrier. The stratum corneum is comprised of many different types of molecules. Certain molecules, which Nuvo calls MPE™s, can interact with molecules in the stratum corneum to enhance its permeability. Nuvo believes that an effective way to enhance the stratum corneum’s permeability is to use cocktails of different MPE™s which it terms MMPE™”s.
Nuvo uses special combinations of MPE™s to permeabilize the skin to enhance delivery of a given drug. From 2006 to 2008, the Company used internally developed high throughput experimentation technology to complete hundreds of thousands of measurements on MMPE™s applied to skin in an effort to determine which MMPE™s are potentially most effective. This research formed the basis for a United States’ patent claiming certain combinations of particular MPE™s together with certain active drugs in topical formulations that was issued on September 14, 2010 and for an additional United States non-provisional application. In addition, Nuvo has used this database of MMPE™ measurements to support the development of some of its topical and transdermal drug candidates.