Developed by Starpharma, DEP^® docetaxel is a patented, dendrimer nanoparticle version of the anti-cancer drug docetaxel. Marketed as Taxotere^®, docetaxel is widely used to treat a number of common cancers, including lung cancer, gastro-oesophageal cancers, head and neck cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. It is prescribed despite carrying US FDA “Black box” warnings for severe neutropenia and severe hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, resulting from the detergent polysorbate 80 used in its formulation.

Unlike conventional docetaxel, Starpharma's DEP^® docetaxel is water-soluble and detergent-free. This formulation helps to avoid hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, that occur with the conventional formulation. Because DEP^® docetaxel does not contain the detergent polysorbate 80, patients undergoing DEP^® docetaxel treatment do not need to be pre-medicated with steroids or antihistamines.

In both preclinical and clinical studies, DEP® docetaxel has demonstrated an improved side effect profile in terms of key adverse events, including myelosuppression, oedema (fluid retention), alopecia (hair loss), and allergic reactions (anaphylaxis/hypersensitivity).

Patent filings: DEP^® docetaxel has patent filings to 2032 (plus up to an additional ~5 years).

DEP^® docetaxel is a clinical-stage product/candidate. It has not received a marketing or regulatory authorisation in any jurisdiction.