Nuvo believes it is uniquely positioned to research and develop new drug product candidates for delivery to and through the skin. First, Nuvo has developed several multiplexed molecular penetration enhancer (MMPE^™s), that interact with the skin to modify its permeability  allowing certain drug molecules to pass to and through the skin to proximate tissues. Second, Nuvo operates high throughput experimentation (HTE) systems that allow its scientists to rapidly screen combinations of existing molecular penetration enhancers (MPE^™s) and large numbers of potential drug formulations to measure their ability to permeabilize and permeate the skin. Third, the Company has assembled a team of scientists who have and continue to develop expertise in topical and transdermal drug delivery.

Prospective Benefits

Nuvo's topical and transdermal drug product focus is primarily on the treatment of pain, particularly in cases where changing the dosage form of proven active drugs from oral to topical provides the possibility of clinical benefit, with reduced systemic exposure and fewer systemic side effects. The Company is also using its technology to pursue drugs to treat dermatological indications. The Company's HTE platforms have practical utility for diverse use in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, personal care, diagnostic and medical device applications, where formulations suitable for modulating one or more properties of the skin, such as permeability, need to be developed.

The Company intends to continue collaborations with third parties, directed towards either developing prospective products outside of its focus on pain and dermatology or advancing its HTE capabilities. To this end, in late 2008, the Company signed a research and development collaboration agreement with a Fortune Global 500 company which enabled fqubed to expand the scope of its TEMPEST^™ HTE platform while evaluating potential formulations for its partner's product portfolio.

  Rapid Optimized Transdermal Formulation Development