Naltrexone Implant
In 2007, Analytica acquired a Naltrexone implant development company, Recovery Clinics Pty Ltd. The purchase represents a significant milestone and one that will play a major role in shaping Analytica's future.
Naltrexone binds to the dopamine receptors and blocks the effects of alcohol and opiates (e.g. heroin) in the brain.
Naltrexone is used as a method to treat drug and alcohol addicted patients and in the case of drug addiction, is an alternative to the use of the highly addictive methadone.
Naltrexone, in orally-administered tablet form, is currently used in Australia and is listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for the treatment of alcoholism. However, orally-administered Naltrexone is not well accepted by the patients and compliance is low compared with other treatments1.
Relapse is one of the biggest problems with conventional drug and alcohol treatments. The Analytica Naltrexone implant seeks to greatly reduce the likelihood of relapse as the implant reduces the reliance on the patient to seek and/or administer regular treatment. Doctors are requesting longer-acting treatments, to remove the daily routine requirement of an oral Naltrexone pill.
Analytica's Naltrexone implant guarantees that the patient will receive their Naltrexone dose for the life of the implant, and will not need to remember their treatment.
Naltrexone Implants are currently only available to patients in Australia under restricted conditions and none are listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods. Analytica will develop its Naltrexone implant in accordance with TGA requirements in order to have the implant listed on the ARTG and available to the wider population.
The development of Analytica's Naltrexone implant is in its infancy. The implants are currently being manufactured by a specialist cGMP manufacturer in Melbourne, and have been used in initial animal trials. Further implant development precedes planned pre-clinical and clinical studies. At the completion of the clinical study program, the Company plans to apply for the Naltrexone implant's inclusion into the ARTG.
With obvious public health benefits, Analytica is investigating all possible forms of Government assistance at the State and Federal levels, to further the Naltrexone research program.
1 Mattick R, presentation to roundtable, Canberra, 15/8/2, exhibit 43, slide 11, quoting results from National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre, National evaluation of pharmacotherapies for opiod dependence (NEOPD): Report of results and recommendations.