UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Month of October, 2006
Commission File Number 000-50994
BioProgress PLC
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
15-17 Cambridge Science Park
Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0FQ
United Kingdom
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
Indicate by check mark whether registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes No X
If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):N/A
.
For Immediate Release 30 October 2006
BioProgress plc
Technology Update - new enabling technology and new partner
London, UK, 30 October 2006: BioProgress plc ('BioProgress' or the 'Company')
(AIM: BPRG; NASDAQ: BPRG), the speciality pharma and healthcare company, is
pleased to announce the launch of a new enabling technology, SoluPol, a novel
method for delivering liquid dosage forms.
The market for dysphagic patients, those who are unable to swallow, is
significant. For example, between 15%(1) and 33%(2) of patients in nursing homes
in the UK have difficulty swallowing solid dose forms. It is estimated that 48%
of patients receiving non-oncological palliative care treatments suffer from
dysphagia(2) along with 29-77% of patients experiencing xerostomia (dry
mouth)(3), a leading cause of dysphagia. Conditions such as Parkinson's disease
have significant - 82%(4) - swallowing difficulties associated with them.
Liquid medicines can offer an alternative to the traditional solid dosage forms
but taste issues have to be overcome. SoluPol has the ability to taste mask,
enhance stability, and create novel small volume buccal liquids. These liquids
can also have a muco-adhesive or muco-protective effect within the mouth.
BioProgress also announces that it has entered into negotiations with a number
of interested pharmaceutical companies with regards to developing SoluPol
products. The negotiations have led to an agreement in principle for the
development and licensing of a specific product using SoluPol technology. The
party is named as a division of Zentiva a.s, a leading pharmaceutical company
based in the Czech Republic and part owned by Sanofi Aventis, with the agreement
being for the CEE and CIS regions. Negotiations are ongoing with licensing
partners in Western Europe and in North America for both prescription and OTC
rights to this product. It is anticipated marketing and revenue generation of
the product will commence in 2007/8. The anticipated global market size is in
excess of $1 billion.
Steve Martin, Chief Development Officer of BioProgress, said:
"SoluPol is a welcome addition to our portfolio of enabling technologies. With
our aim to deliver medicines better, we are able to offer the patient choice in
how they take their daily medicines. The technology is complementary to our
Soluleaves(TM) and TabWrap(TM) enabling technologies with the ability to offer
higher doses of active drug, but in a patient-friendly manner.
"The technology to manufacture liquid medicines is similar to that employed in
the manufacture of oral dosing films. It was developed in response to requests
from our expanding customer base. BioProgress has already commenced development
of several products with the view to either launching through our expanding
sales and marketing operation or through strategic partnering.
"Using novel soluble polymers and altering their characteristics enabling the
delivery of previously problematic molecules, BioProgress has initiated an
assessment program for the use of the liquids within the Swollo(TM) enabling
technology platform."
Richard Trevillion, Chief Executive Officer of BioProgress, added:
"This development agreement is the culmination and validation of a great deal of
work by our technical and development team over the past 12 months, utilising
the core polymer and material science expertise within the Company. The
formulation team within BioProgress has a great deal of experience in the
product areas of focus with our new partner and I am extremely pleased to be
working with them on this significant opportunity."
References:
1. Perry L and McLaren S (2003) Eating difficulties after stroke. J Adv
Nurs 43:360-9
2. Stevenson J (2002) Meeting the challenge of dysphagia management Nurse 2
Nurse 3:2-3
3. Mercadante S (2002) Dry mouth and palliative care Euro J Pall Care 9:
182-5
4. Leopold N and Kagel M (1996) Prepharyngeal dysphagia in Parkinson's
disease Dysphagia Winter;11(1):23-4
For further information:
BioProgress Plc + 44 (0) 20 7098 9881
Richard Trevillion, CEO
Steve Martin, CDO
Buchanan Communications + 44 (0) 20 7466 5000
Rebecca Skye Dietrich/Mark Court
About BioProgress
BioProgress plc is an innovative specialty pharmaceutical and healthcare
business based around its platform technologies in polymer and film systems.
Listed on London's AIM in May 2003 and on US NASDAQ in October 2004, the company
has over 80 patents granted or in application within 24 patent families and has
product development agreements and strategic alliances with several global
companies. As a virtually integrated business, BioProgress has acquired sales
and marketing resources within Europe and the US as a launch mechanism for its
own pharmaceutical products. The business continues to develop innovative
delivery mechanisms using its XGEL(TM) polymer technology, replacing the need to
use animal-derived gelatine in pharmaceutical and healthcare products. For
further information please go to www.bioprogress.com
About Zentiva
Zentiva N.V. is an international pharmaceutical company focused on developing,
manufacturing and marketing of modern branded generic pharmaceutical products.
The Company has leading positions in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania
and is growing rapidly in Poland, Russia, Bulgaria, Ukraine and the Baltic
States. Zentiva's strategy is to grow further by increasing patient access to
modern medicines through primary care providers within the EU and Eastern
Europe. The growth will be based on further organic development of its existing
business and through selective acquisitions, while maintaining profitable
growth. The Company addresses a wide range of therapeutic areas but has
particular focus on cardiovascular disorders, inflammatory conditions, pain,
infections and diseases of the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal
and urology fields. The Zentiva Group employs over 4,500 people and has
production sites in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Romania.
Forward-Looking Information.
The Ordinary Shares of BioProgress plc are registered under the US Securities
and Exchange Act of 1934. To the extent that this announcement contains certain
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, this paragraph applies. These statements are
based on management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and
changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from the
expectations contained in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking
statements in this release include statements addressing future financial and
operating results and the timing and benefits of the reorganisation. Detailed
information about factors pertinent to the business of the company that could
cause actual results to differ is set forth in the Company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company is under no obligation to (and
expressly disclaim any such obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking
statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
This announcement is for information only and does not constitute an offer or
invitation to acquire or dispose of any securities or investment advice. The
distribution of the announcement and/or issue of securities in certain
jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons into whose possession this
announcement comes are required to inform themselves about and to observe such
restrictions.
SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.