Medgenics Inc. (NYSE:MDGN) said it’s in talks with Baxter International (NYSE:BAX) over their deal to co-develop a drug-delivery pump using, but Baxter itself is mum on the topic.
San Francisco and Misgav, Israel-based Medgenics is developing a "sustained-action therapeutic protein delivery technology" for chronic diseases it calls the Biopump, according to its website. The technology "is made from the patient’s own skin and is implanted in a simple procedure to work inside the patient’s body, to produce and deliver the active protein steadily over a sustained period," according to the site.
Today Medgenics said its deal with Baxter, to co-develop the Factor VIII Biopump, expired Sept. 30.
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"The company confirms that it is in active discussions with Baxter regarding the terms for possible further collaboration," according to a press release.
Baxter did not immediately respond to a request for comment, according to Reuters.
The $7 million pact, inked in 2009, called for the duo to develop the pump to treat hemophilia.
"Biopump does not have the drawbacks of gene therapy, nor is it based on techniques that can only be performed by two people in the world or require technology as specialized as a NASA space capsule," CEO Andrew Pearlman told parterningNEWS at the time.
"This is being developed to be a practical, automated process that will be highly reliable and cost effective. We believe it can be performed at any medical center, even at local centers, and perhaps even by trained nurse practitioners."
