The SABER system is a patented controlled-release technology that can be formulated for systemic or local administration of active agents via the parenteral or oral route. We are researching and developing a variety of controlled-release products based on the SABER technology.

We believe that our SABER system can provide the basis for the development of a state-of-the-art biodegradable, controlled-release injectable. The SABER system uses a high-viscosity base component, such as sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB), to provide controlled release of the drug. When the high viscosity SAIB is formulated with drug, a biocompatible diluent (solvent) and other additives, the resulting formulation is liquid enough to inject easily with standard syringes and needles. After injection of a SABER formulation, the system sets up in a viscous, matrix of the three components — SAIB, drug, and any additives. Depending on how it is formulated, the SABER system can successfully deliver therapeutic levels of a wide spectrum of drugs from 1 day to 3 months from a single injection. The SABER Technology is the basis of our injectable post-operative pain relief depot product candidate currently under Phase II clinical testing.

Our SABER-Bupivacaine product candidate is a long-acting local anesthetic being developed for the treatment of post surgical pain and is intended to deliver from a single injection uninterrupted regional pain relief regional for up to 72 hours or more, which we believe coincides with the time period of the greatest need for post surgical pain control in most patients.

There are over 70 million combined inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures performed each year in the United States. We believe that SABER-Bupivacaine could be utilized in 40%-60% of these procedures (including abdominal, orthopedic, hernia, and many others types of procedures). Physicians that participated in DURECT’s market research on this product indicated that SABER-Bupivacaine would represent a significant innovation over currently available postoperative pain relief therapies. Pain has been deemed by the WHO as the “5th Vital Sign,” and stated that pain is significantly under treated. SABER-Bupivacaine may offer a significant improvement in post-operative analgesia. It can also potentially reduce opioid consumption, the amount of time hospital staffs spend managing post surgical pain and the duration of hospital stays.