Acthera Therapeutics

Acthera Therapeutics is a Swiss biotechnology company focused on developing innovative targeted drug delivery systems. The company's core technology revolves around mechanosensitive liposomes, specifically Faceted Hard-Shelled Liposomes (HSLs), which are designed to release their drug payload in response to high shear forces associated with diseased areas in the body. This approach allows for localized drug delivery, potentially increasing efficacy while reducing systemic side effects.

Acthera's HSL technology utilizes an artificial 1,3-diamidophospholipid that forms interdigitated gel-state membranes at body temperature. These liposomes are designed to remain stable in normal circulation but release their contents when exposed to pathological high forces, such as those found in arterial stenosis. This binary behavior enables targeted drug delivery based on physics-based mechanisms, offering a novel approach to treatment.

The company has demonstrated promising results in animal studies, particularly in a rat model of carotid artery stenosis and thrombus formation. Using Eptifibatide, an anti-platelet drug, as the payload, Acthera's HSLs showed efficacy in maintaining blood flow at substantially lower doses compared to systemic administration of the free drug. These results suggest the potential for improved therapeutic outcomes with reduced side effects.