GVK Bio extends partnership with Akaal Pharma

HYDERABAD: Pharmaceutical research company GVK Bio has extended its tie-up with Australia's Akaal Pharma for scale-up of its novel topical AKP-11 ointment to support Phase II clinical study in psoriasis.
Akaal Pharma is a Melbourne-based clinical stage biopharmaceutical company.

GVK Bio's formulation development business unit in Bengaluru has developed robust and scalable process for novel topical AKP-11 ointment and plans to support clinical studies of Akaal Pharma's topical psoriasis drug by providing clinical supplies, manufacturing and analytical support, GVK Bio said in a statement.

GVK Bio Senior Vice President, Formulation R and D Seetharaju Gembali said, "Strengthening of our partnership with Akaal Pharma is testimonial to our expertise in the formulation development and we look forward to working with other clients."

Akaal Pharma CEO Dale Dhanoa said, "We are excited to advance our first-in-class multi-modal acting topical drug candidate AKP-11 into Phase II stage of clinical development for the treatment of psoriasis.

"There are several other inflammatory diseases that we are targeting with our clinical compound and are currently exploring various formulations for its topical applications."

The statement further said, discussions are also underway to work towards exploring appropriate commercialisation, packaging and various formulations for topical use in other inflammatory diseases.