Royal DSM N.V., the global Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company headquartered in the Netherlands, today announces that DSM Biomedical and Caliber Therapeutics, Inc. will partner on the development of a novel drug delivery balloon catheter that can be used to treat vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. This cooperation is another step for DSM to leverage its competences in Materials Sciences into Life Sciences applications.

The novel devices to be developed by DSM Biomedical and Caliber Therapeutics will enable the controlled and sustained release of drugs to treat vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. The partnership will combine proprietary technology from DSM on drug delivery with balloon and catheter technology from Caliber Therapeutics. In addition, DSM Biomedical will grant Caliber Therapeutics a worldwide exclusive license for the use of DSM’s recently launched Trancerta™ Drug Delivery platform for the development of this specific application.

“This is an important step in the development of DSM Biomedical at the heart of DSM’s competences in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences. By developing this novel drug delivery device we contribute to addressing a disease that affects tens of millions of people worldwide. I am convinced that our materials’ competencies and Caliber Therapeutics’ pre-clinical and clinical expertise will prove a successful combination in the development and commercialization of this novel drug delivery device,” said Steve Hartig, President of DSM Biomedical.

Dr. Oded Ben-Joseph, President and CEO of Caliber Therapeutics said: “ Our focus at Caliber is to develop innovative balloon-based products that combine drugs and devices to meet the growing need for the safe and effective treatment of vascular diseases. We are excited to co-develop a truly transformative and highly versatile platform with our friends at DSM. We believe that this technology will allow for superior drug transfer efficiency into the vessel wall and will open up multiple cardiovascular indications that are currently inaccessible to stenting".

Caliber Therapeutics, a privately-held company based in the United States, develops proprietary minimally-invasive, balloon-based drug delivery products. Their lead product is a novel Targeted Angioplasty Drug Delivery balloon, TADD, for the treatment of atherosclerotic disease. This innovative release system enables controlled and targeted drug delivery, reduces thrombosis risk and reduces the need to implant permanent devices.

The drug delivery platform technology used in this novel drug delivery device is jointly developed by Caliber Therapeutics and DSM. The customized and fine-tuned version of DSM’s Trancerta™ drug delivery platform seeks to deliver an optimal therapeutic drug dose from Caliber’s TADD balloon, combining safety and efficacy. Trancerta™ covers an extensive portfolio of advanced resorbable materials, synthesis methods, formulation and processing technique, which provide the foundation for designing tailored drug delivery systems.

Atherosclerosis is a condition in which plaque builds up inside the arteries. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances. Over time, plaque hardens and narrows the arteries, reducing the flow of oxygen-rich blood to organs. Atherosclerosis can develop into Coronary Artery Diseases (CAD), the leading cause of death in the western world.

DSM Biomedical
To meet the upcoming needs of the medical and biotech industries, DSM Biomedical builds on the expertise and strengths of DSM in polymers, coating technology, materials science and life sciences. DSM Biomedical develops innovative controlled drug delivery systems for both ophthalmic and vascular disease treatments. In this segment, DSM employs the Trancerta™ Drug Delivery approach which is based on DSM’s core strengths in polymers combined with its extensive in-house library of synthesis methods, formulation and processing techniques. DSM’s current biomedical portfolio also includes ComfortCoat™ hydrophilic and antimicrobial coating technology for catheters, guidewires and stent delivery systems and Dyneema Purity®, a high performance polyethylene fiber technology, which has been developed specifically for use in medical applications, such as orthopedic implants. Recently the company acquired PTG, a market leader in the field of biomedical polymers Furthermore, a research and development program specifically aimed at extending DSM’s material portfolio for the orthopedic industry has been started. For more information, visit www.dsmbiomedical.com.

Caliber Therapeutics
Caliber Therapeutics, Inc. is a convergence company engaged in the development and commercialization of proprietary minimally-invasive, balloon-based drug delivery products for the intervention of vascular diseases. The Company seeks to provide innovative solutions for unmet clinical needs, such as safe and efficacious alternatives to drug-eluting stents, the desire to avoid permanent implants, and the large and growing market of endovascular indications for which stenting is counterindicated. Caliber is managed by an experienced, multidisciplinary team and supported by the Accelerated Technologies’ clinical team of opinion-leading physicians. For more information, visit www.calibertherapeutics.com.