By avoiding the effects on the gastrointestinal tract and first-pass metabolism seen with some oral products, transdermal drug therapies can enhance therapeutic efficacy while decreasing side effects. Over the last few decades, numerous companies have introduced to the marketplace novel therapeutic products that utilize transdermal drug delivery technology. That tradition of innovation continues to be alive and well at DURECT as we continue refining and improving various attributes of transdermal products with the development of our TRANSDUR™ transdermal dosage form technologies. Developing small, non-irritating and user-friendly products with excellent skin-adhesion are the main objectives for the TRANSDUR technology, which are major differentiating factors among patients and physicians. First generation transdermal products fall short of these objectives, in part, because of their use of a liquid drug-reservoir and skin-irritating additives such as alcohols.

Depending on the drug and its physicochemical properties, the TRANSDUR™ technology provides compatible and functional transdermal formulations, resulting in thin solid state transdermal products that can deliver drugs, through intact skin, at a controlled rate up to one week. TRANSDUR technology encompasses proprietary product components such as pressure sensitive adhesive formulations, skin permeation enhancers and carrier films depending on the application, which enable DURECT’s scientists to expand the range of drugs that can be delivered transdermally. Transdermal products based on TRANSDUR™ technology improve convenience and compliance as well as cost-effectiveness, and provide highly reliable therapy to patients and health care providers.

Out TRANSDUR technology is a proprietary transdermal delivery system that enables delivery of drugs continuously for up to 7 days. The TRANSDUR technology is the basis for TRANSDUR-Sufentanil which is currently in Phase II testing and which we have licensed to Endo in the U.S. and Canada. The TRANSDUR technology is also the basis for ELADUR, which is currently in Phase II testing and for which we have retained full commercialization rights.