SurModics and NuPathe Partner to Develop Novel Long-Acting Parkinson's Treatment

* Reuters is not responsible for the content in this press release.

Mon Nov 2, 2009 4:31pm EST

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. & CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa.--(Business Wire)--
SurModics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SRDX), a leading provider of drug delivery and surface
modification technologies to the healthcare industry, and NuPathe Inc., a
neuroscience-focused specialty pharmaceutical company, announced today that the
companies have entered into a license agreement for drug delivery technology.
The companies have been collaborating since 2007 on the development of a
biodegradable sustained release formulation of an approved dopamine agonist. The
result is NuPathe`s NP201, the first long-acting treatment available in broadly
acceptable dose form that maintains the potential to provide sustained relief
from Parkinson`s disease without motor response complications. NP201 leverages
NuPathe`s long-acting delivery (LAD) technology and SurModics` proprietary
biodegradable polymer matrix implant technology to achieve optimal drug release
over an extended period of time. 

Under the licensing agreement, NuPathe will lead and fund development and
commercialization. SurModics will provide technical and manufacturing expertise
and will be eligible to receive licensing fees and milestone payments related to
development of products for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and other
clinical indications. SurModics will also receive royalties on product sales. 

"The use of SurModics` biodegradable implant technology is an ideal match in
this clinical area, as maintaining desired drug levels are critical for
achieving the optimal clinical outcome," said Bruce Barclay, president and CEO
of SurModics. "We have enjoyed a strong collaboration with NuPathe and look
forward to continuing in the development and commercialization of this important
product for patients with Parkinson's disease." 

SurModics is nearing completion of a major facility expansion at its SurModics
Pharmaceuticals site in Birmingham, Alabama. The agreement with NuPathe
anticipates the use of this facility for the production of clinical materials
and, ultimately for commercial supply. 

"We are thrilled to have SurModics Pharmaceuticals as our development partner on
this product," said Jane Hollingsworth, CEO of NuPathe. "We evaluated a number
of potential partners for technical experience and selected the SurModics team
based on their depth of capabilities. SurModics` technical knowledge coupled
with their investments in a new cGMP manufacturing facility were important
factors in our decision to execute the license agreement. Thus far, our
collaboration has been extremely successful. NP201 has demonstrated efficacy in
a validated Parkinson`s model and has the potential to significantly improve the
lives of Parkinson`s patients." 

About Parkinson's

Parkinson's disease is a brain disorder. It occurs when certain nerve cells
(neurons) in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra die or become
impaired. Normally, these cells produce a vital chemical known as dopamine.
Dopamine allows smooth, coordinated function of the body's muscles and movement.
When approximately 80% of the dopamine-producing cells are damaged, the symptoms
of Parkinson's disease appear. 

Approximately 1.4 million people suffer from Parkinson`s disease in the United
States, Europe, and Japan. By 2050, this number is expected to have doubled with
the population of elderly (over age 65) individuals. 

Parkinson`s patients are treated with a variety of therapeutics designed to
replace lost dopaminergic function. Primary treatments include dopamine
supplementation through dopamine agonists and/or carbidopa/levodopa. While these
treatments are effective, dose complications, such as movement disorders, on/off
fluctuations, and dyskinesias, are common. Many experts attribute these
complications to variable drug levels resulting from frequent dosing or poor
compliance with the prescribed dosing. 

About NP201

NP201 consists of a dopamine agonist formulated to provide effective relief of
the signs and symptoms of Parkinson`s disease (e.g., tremor, rigidity, postural
instability) for 1-3 months with a single administration. By providing stable,
continuous drug delivery over an extended period, NP201 may significantly
decrease the dose complications associated with current treatments. Furthermore,
many researchers believe that continuous, stable stimulation of the dopamine
receptors may slow the progression of the disease. 

About NuPathe

NuPathe Inc. is a privately-held specialty pharmaceutical company, located in
Conshohocken, PA. The company was founded in 2005 and is supported by leading
healthcare venture capitalists. NuPathe specializes in the development of
therapeutic products for the neurosciences. NuPathe`s mission is to identify and
address the needs of patients that are insufficiently met by current treatments.
In addition to NP201, NuPathe`s portfolio includes Zelrix, a novel transdermal
patch for the treatment of acute migraine. NuPathe reported positive Phase III
results in 3Q09 and plans a 2010 NDA filing. If approved by the FDA, Zelrix will
be the first and only transdermal patch for the treatment of acute migraine. For
more information, please visit www.nupathe.com. 

About SurModics, Inc.

SurModics` vision is to extend and improve the lives of patients through
technology innovation. The Company partners with the world`s foremost medical
device, pharmaceutical and life science companies to develop and commercialize
innovative products that result in improved diagnosis and treatment for
patients. Core offerings include: drug delivery technologies (coatings,
microparticles, nanoparticles, and implants); surface modification coating
technologies that impart lubricity, prohealing, and biocompatibility
capabilities; and components for in vitro diagnostic test kits and specialized
surfaces for cell culture and microarrays. SurModics is headquartered in Eden
Prairie, Minnesota and its SurModics Pharmaceuticals subsidiary is located in
Birmingham, Alabama. For more information about the Company, visit
www.surmodics.com. The content of SurModics` website is not part of this release
or part of any filings the Company makes with the SEC. 

Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Statements that are not
historical or current facts, including statements about beliefs and
expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve
inherent risks and uncertainties, and important factors could cause actual
results to differ materially from those anticipated, including those identified
under "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, and updated in our subsequent reports
filed with the SEC. These reports are available in the Investors section of our
website at www.surmodics.com and at the SEC website at www.sec.gov.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we
undertake no obligation to update them in light of new information or future
events.

SurModics
Phil Ankeny, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(952) 829-2700
or
NuPathe
Theresa Murray
(610) 228-2126 



Copyright Business Wire 2009

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