Technology name
Last update: Jul 2026BEPO®
Developer(s)
Sponsor(s)
Not specified
Type of technology
In-situ forming gel/implant
Administration route
Subcutaneous, Intra-articular
Development state and regulatory approval
Risperidone
Marketed
FDA approved (UZEDY)
Description
BEPO® is a simple yet flexible technology based on MedinCell®'s custom proprietary copolymers, which forms a fully bioresorbable depot once injected. BEPO® technology has the potential to control regular delivery of an API at an optimal therapeutic dose for several days, weeks or months. BEPO® can be administered subcutaneously for systemic exposure of APIs or locally for targeted treatments.
Developer(s)
MedinCell
MedinCell® is a pharmaceutical company at premarketing stage that develops innovative long-acting injectable medicines in many therapeutic areas. Products of our portfolio are based on our BEPO® technology and aim to ensure patient compliance, improve the effectiveness and accessibility of treatments, and reduce their environmental footprint.
Technology highlight
From systemic to local delivery, BEPO® is a clinically advanced proprietary long acting injectable technology that enables the controlled delivery of various active ingredients, to address a broad range of therapeutic needs. BEPO® technology makes possible to control and guarantee the regular delivery of a drug at the optimal therapeutic dose for several days, weeks or months. At the time of the injection, the BEPO technology forms a deposit of polymers of a few millimeters under the skin for a systemic action, or locally for a targeted action. The deposit diffuses the active ingredient by resorbing for the desired duration, like a mini pump that would be injectable and bioresorbable.
Illustration(s)
Technology main components
Three core components: a- A combination of diblock (DB) and triblock (TB) copolymers containing hydrophilic and water-soluble blocks (polyethylene glycol – PEG) linked with hydrophobic and amorphous blocks (Poly(D,L-lactic acid) – PLA) which precipitate in forming a depot when exposed to an aqueous environment. They are functional excipients, ensuring the controlled drug release. b- A pharmaceutically acceptable organic solvent, e.g. DMSO, to dissolve the copolymers and make the entire system injectable. c- An API to ensure pharmacological activity. The API can be a small molecule, a peptide or a therapeutic protein. The API is entrapped within the polymer matrix and is released thereafter by diffusion and following polymer degradation.
The core functional copolymer excipients are exclusively manufactured and supplied through a joint Venture made between Medincell and Corbion, called CMB. Corbion manufactures the copolymers with the appropriate quality standards and scale to ensure sufficient availability.
Safety, Efficacy and Evidence Summary
We currently have 3 clinically advanced drug products based on BEPO® technology, including one at NDA stage with TEVA pharmaceuticals. The RISE clinical phase III study completed in November 2020 did not raise any safety signals that were inconsistent with the known safety profile of other risperidone formulations.
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APIs compatibility profile
Small molecules are best suited for formulating. Compatibility needs to be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Case by case basis. Complex biomacromolecules like therapeutic proteins have inherent challenges that need to be tackled specifically during formulation development
Not provided
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0.1-60%
1 single API :
Min: -2.5 Max: 6.1
Scale-up and manufacturing prospects
Not provided
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Excipients & delivery device(s)
No proprietary excipient used
Confidential information
No residual solvent used
No delivery device
Additional features
- Biodegradable
- Room temperature storage
- At least 1 year shelf life
- Drug-eluting
- Non-removable
- Single-use
BEPO® technology has the potential to control regular delivery of an API at an optimal therapeutic dose for several days, weeks or months. The technology can provide a sustained release profile of an API with low initial burst. The hygroscopy and consequently the API release kinetics from the depots can be fine-tuned by adjusting the hydrophilicity of the DB and TB and their relative ratio.
BEPO® drug products are liquid and can be injected using standard injection device with standard 21 gauge needle or even thinner depending on the formulation characteristics.
Our technology may allow long-term storage at room temperature with shelf life well above 1 year.
Room Temperature storage possible. Cold chain is not mandatory, except in instances where the drug substance requires refrigeration for long term storage.
Therapeutic area(s)
- Malaria
- Contraception
- Disease agnostic
- COVID 19
- Pain management
- Mental Health Disorders (incl. schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, Schiz. Aff. Dis.)
- TB
- Treatment
- Prevention
Potential associated API(s)
- Risperidone
- Celecoxib
- Ivermectin
- Progestin
- Olanzapine
- Macozinone
- Progestin
Use of technology
- To be determined
- Administered by a nurse
- Administered by a specialty health worker
Depending on product, once weekly up to once annually, Weekly, Monthly, Every 6 months, Yearly, Every 2 months
Targeted user groups
- Adults
- Older Adults
- All
- Male
- Female
- Cisgender female
- Cisgender male
- Transgender female
- Transgender male
- Intersex
- Gender non-binary
Unspecified
Unspecified
Unspecified
Not provided
antipsychotic
Marketed
Schizophrenia
UZEDY (risperidone) extended-release injectable suspension is a prescription medicine used to treat schizophrenia in adults.
1 or 2 months
FDA approved (UZEDY)
Celecoxib
anti inflammatory
Phase III
post-operative pain and inflammation
Not provided
Once every 12 weeks
Not provided
Not provided
Pre-clinical
Not provided
Malaria Transmission prevention
persons at risk of malaria and their communities
Single intervention per year (3 months action duration)
Not provided
Progestin
Not provided
Pre-clinical
Not provided
contraception
persons desiring contraception use
6 months
Not provided
Olanzapine
Not provided
Phase III
schizophrenia management
Adults with schizophrenia
1 month
Not yet approved
Macozinone
antimycobacterial
Pre-clinical
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Progestin
contraceptive
Pre-clinical
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
6 months
Not provided
All sponsors
No sponsor indicated