In the era of patient-centric healthcare, Aspargo Labs might have cracked the code on how to deliver medication in an efficient and user-friendly way.
The New York-based firm describes itself as a biotech and a medtech drug delivery company, which is dedicated to enhancing the patient and user experience while also improving adherence by reformulating drugs into liquid oral suspensions.
“Over 40% of the population has challenges swallowing pills,” CEO Michael Demurjian told Generics Bulletin in an exclusive interview. “We are creating a new platform that is answering a need that is present, provides more efficiency and adherence. We see something here that is going to rapidly expand.”
Demurjian has three decades' worth of experience in drug development under his belt, both as someone on Wall Street and one who takes drugs across the finish line.
“I always joke that a lot of people don’t like raising money. I don’t have that as an issue. I look and see value where value is, but I also know that in order for it to be successful, it’s important to have the right team members around it,” he explained.
Indeed, Aspargo Labs sees value in user-friendly drug administration, helping patients of all ages, especially pediatric and geriatric populations.
“I’m not saying that all pills are bad, but at the same time, there are better ways for us to take our medicines, and that’s what we’re introducing,” Demurjian added.
‘Overwhelmingly Positive’ Response To First Rx Launches
Aspargo Labs has already launched its first product, sildenafil – the active ingredient used in Viagra – in two European countries. The product is marketed as Bandol in Spain and Hezkue in Germany, where the response and demand have been “overwhelmingly positive.”
The product has also been approved in other markets, such as the Netherlands, the UK, Ireland, Mexico, and a number of LATAM countries, while the NDA filing in the US is expected in April.
Eventually, Aspargo Labs wants to venture out to other regions, but, first, it needs to expand into additional production facilities in the markets it has already launched. Then, the firm plans to go into an additional 48 countries in the next 14 months.
Reformulating other drugs into a liquid oral suspension is also on Aspargo Labs’ radar. The current runner-up product in the pipeline is the diabetes drug metformin, with plans to introduce it into the US and global markets by Q2 or Q3 of this year.
The firm is also looking at other medications such as treatments for seizures, cardiac care, and oral chemotherapies. According to the firm’s website, current and near-term projects, including sildenafil, have strong IP protection through 2036.
Prescription Drugs Or OTC? Why Not Both In Parallel
Prescription drugs are not the only area Aspargo Labs is pursuing, as over-the-counter medications are also of interest to the firm, with several products in its pipeline.
Although some companies might have to commit to one or another, Demurjian pointed out, Aspargo sees these two areas as equal-sized opportunities.
“When you have such a compelling demand on both the Rx and OTC side, we’re actually pursuing both in parallel and it’s working out quite well,” he said, explaining that OTC products do not have to go through the same approval process with the Food and Drug Administration as prescription drugs.
So, whilst the firm works on its Rx programs through the typical 505(b)(2) hybrid pathway with the FDA and respective approval processes in Europe, it wants to familiarize the patient community with the same platform with OTC products first.
“There lies the opportunity to educate people on OTC products and then integrate the prescription drugs,” Demurjian highlighted.
While some of the current pipeline includes day-to-day OTC products such as painkillers and vitamins, one development program explores potassium iodine, which is often used in cases of radiation exposure.
Demurjian explained that this drug comes in very small pills and often they have to be chopped, depending on the dose for different age groups, which might be complicated to do accurately in a war zone.
“Now, instead of a parent having to worry about if they chopped the pill correctly while air raid sirens are going off, our new delivery devices will give the ability to give a precise metered dose,” he said.
Digital Delivery Device Of The Future
Speaking of devices, the current oral suspensions are offered in a manual actuator pump, with a head that pivots to adjust the dosing. However, Aspargo Labs has an even more user-friendly and tech-savvy product, which was created by Demurjian’s son.
The firm is developing an oral medicine delivery device, which has replaceable color-coded medication cartridges and communication software that connects it to physicians and caregivers.
“You’re talking about creating a whole new area of support that never existed before.”
According to Demurjian, many patients, regardless of their age, forget what their doctors have instructed or prescribed to them quickly after the appointment. This so-called “virtual physician assistant” device would give healthcare professionals or family members visibility into whether the drug was administered correctly.
“You’re talking about creating a whole new area of support that never existed before,” the CEO said.
As with the traditional spray, Aspargo Labs will start the roll-out of the device with OTC products, anticipated by Q2/Q3 of this year. In terms of prescription drugs, the first product will be metformin, but the firm needs to complete stability studies first.
“This device is the future,” Demurjian declared, not hiding his excitement, and adding that both traditional and digital devices will be available to cater to different patient preferences.
Partnering Interest Coming From Big Pharma
As Demurjian put it, this innovative device is creating a whole new area of patient support and currently has little to no competition in the market.
When asked if they are interested in partnering opportunities, the CEO did not hide that the firm is busy tackling the current demand and is not approaching anyone. However, big pharma is coming after them.
“I can tell you big pharma is keenly interested in being a part of something that’s going to create a better user experience and better results,” he said.
While the main focus for Aspargo Labs is oral administration, it may be interested in exploring other nanoparticle areas in the future. Demurjian said they have been approached by smaller companies to see if the firm would be interested in pursuing and helping them explore transdermal administration.
One of the opportunities is a treatment for hemorrhoids that has shown “some very promising results.” But overall, this “particular niche in the marketplace right now is heavily saturated,” and needs more research to be validated, he added.
‘We’re Not Building Something Small. We’re Creating A Global Presence’
As Aspargo Labs gets ready to launch its products into other markets, it is also expanding its financial footing. At the end of January, the firm will become a publicly listed company, the CEO shared.
According to the company website, Aspargo Labs filed the Form S-1 registration statement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on 10 January, intending to list its common stock on the NYSE under the symbol AAGO.
The firm also wants to help underserved communities in third-world countries and integrate their suspension technologies.
“We take for granted things that aren’t available in many parts of the world.”
“We take for granted things that aren’t available in many parts of the world,” Demurjian said, explaining how in some regions, potable water is not accessible, which makes it difficult to administer oral drugs to treat diseases like malaria.
“If there isn’t fresh water, just putting a pill in someone’s mouth, it’s not going to operate efficiently. We’re going to look into all of those drugs and see how we can really have an impact where there’s a tremendous need,” he said.
In the next five years, Aspargo Labs aspires to become a global brand that meets the needs of many.
“We’re not building something small. We’re creating a global presence. There’s a need for what we have. There’s a need for us to improve the lives of many. We see where the need is and we’re answering the call,” Demurjian concluded.