Bionanoplus, a spin-off company promoted by alumni of the University of Navarra in 2010, will start clinical trials of a drug to treat atopic dermatitis in children and adults, belonging to signature Spherium Biomed.

This new drug, in which Spherium has invested two million euros, is an important boost for Bionanoplus, according to one of its researchers, Izaskun Goñi: "We are a small business , made up of a team of seven people who are especially qualified and trained to develop new products based on novel technologies that provide a added value. This product against dermatitis consists of a new formulation of cyclosporin A and will allow the topical application of this drug. So far, the drug is administered orally, but only in severe cases, due to the systemic side effects".

The scientist emphasizes that the good results of preliminary trials "have led to a significant investment by Spherium Biomed to continue the development of the product and reach the market". "In a sector as complicated as the pharmaceutical industry," emphasizes the researcher, "this is a crucial step so that in a few years the product can be found in pharmacies.

The trials, approved by the ethical committee of the Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, will involve 36 patients aged 2 to 75 years and results could start coming in 2017.