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Acrux

Acrux Ltd, founded in 1998, is a biomedical company based on pioneering research at the college. It is developing and commercialising a range of patient-preferred healthcare products for global markets, using innovative technology.

Acrux is researching, developing and commercialising a unique device that delivers drugs through the skin. The ‘spray-on’ drug delivery technology was discovered by Barry Reed, Tim Morgan and Barrie Finnin  through their transdermal drug delivery research program. A hand-held transdermal spray combined with a non-irritant enhancer compound facilitates absorption across the skin, providing better administration of a wide range of drugs than is achieved by oral preparations or patches applied to the skin. They have also developed many applications for pharmaceutical, veterinary and cosmeceutical products.

In 1981, the founding director and principal of the Victorian College of the Arts, Dr Lenton Parr AM, was commissioned to create a sculpture in memory of Ernest Braithwaite, who was chairman of the Pharmaceutical Defence Ltd board for 22 years. The sculpture, called Acrux after the brightest star in the Southern Cross, is located in the main courtyard of the Parkville campus and was the inspiration for the name of the company.

Acrux's technology consists of three components: the Metered Dose Transdermal System (MDTS®) – a family of applications for administration of drugs to the surface of the skin; ACROSS® enhancers – commonly-used, safe ingredients from sunscreens that enhance the penetration of drugs through the skin; and the PATCHLESS PATCH® – a liquid spray that enables the formation within the skin of a depot of drug and penetration enhancer. The technology is based on the discovery that certain sunscreen components facilitate the passage of drugs through the skin. Acrux has developed the easy-to-use applicators that spray a measured dose of the drug formulated with enhancer onto the skin.

Interest in products being developed by Acrux has led to several international business agreements. In 2004, Acrux's wholly-owned subsidiary FemPharm secured two licensing agreements totalling US$13.3 million with a US based company, VIVUS Inc, to develop its novel transdermal spray for treatment of female sexual dysfunction and the menopause. The company also has commercial agreements with the US based companies Eli Lilly and Connetics for the development of new products and has research and development collaborations with several other international organisations.

In 2004 Acrux successfully listed shares on the Australian Stock Exchange, raising new capital to continue the development and commercialisation of its patient-preferred healthcare products. Acrux recently completed several human clinical trials with six different drugs and tested more than 20 drug candidates. Two Acrux products have entered the last stage of development for the US market.

"This is another initiative that will help the college to be accepted as one of the leading schools of pharmacy in the world. I congratulate the inventors of the technology, Barry Reed, Barrie Finnin and Tim Morgan," said Colin Chapman, dean of the college.

"Acrux is a great example of the potential of college research to make improvements in healthcare as well as to attract international partnerships and gain commercial success in global markets," he added.