Melbourne, Australia; Starpharma Holdings Ltd (ASX: SPL, OTCQX: SPHRY) today announced the signing of a second, expanded agreement with AstraZeneca in the field of cancer medicine using Starpharma’s proprietary DEP™ dendrimer drug delivery technology.

The agreement follows on from an evaluation by AstraZeneca which began in September 2012 of Starpharma’s delivery technology. The new agreement will see the application of Starpharma’s technology to a cancer drug, from AstraZeneca’s pipeline.

Under the new agreement, AstraZeneca will provide funding for a preclinical stage cancer research program to be conducted jointly.

Starpharma uses its DEP™ technology to improve the performance of pharmaceuticals.  Dendrimer-enhanced versions of drugs have been found to be superior to the unmodified drugs in pre-clinical studies, often having improved efficacy and fewer side effects or toxicities.

Downloaded ASX Announcement: Starpharma expands its Drug Delivery Program with AstraZeneca ( pdf file, 104kb)