Shire and Rani Therapeutics, a San Jose, California-based company specializing in the oral delivery of large-drug molecules, have agreed to conduct research on the use of Rani’s pill technology for the oral delivery of factor VIII (FVIII) therapy for patients with hemophilia A.

The collaboration agreement grants Shire an exclusive option to negotiate a license to develop and commercialize the technology for delivery of FVIII therapy following completion of feasibility studies. As part of the collaboration, Shire has also made an equity investment into Rani Therapeutics.

Rani Therapeutics has developed an approach for the oral delivery of large molecules, including peptides, proteins, and antibodies, using the Rani Pill, a capsule that is designed to deliver an intestinal injection without exposing medication to digestive enzymes. Once the capsule is consumed, Shire says it stays protected until it enters the small intestine and delivers medication into the intestinal wall.

Rani Therapeutics has also developed a technology platform to convert injectable drugs, such as TNF-alpha inhibitors, interleukin antibodies, and basal insulin, among others, into pills. With its platform, the company has established partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, including Novartis, AstraZeneca and now Shire, to test its platform with selected drugs.

Source: Shire