A partnership between the UK's Celltech and Access Pharmaceuticals of the USA is focusing on the use of a vitamin-based delivery technology for monoclonal antibodies and antibody fragments.

The goal of the collaboration is to develop orally-bioavailable versions of Celltech's monoclonal antibodies and antibody fragments using Access' proprietary vitamin B12 oral drug delivery technology.

The vitamin B12 approach makes use of the body's natural transport system for this vitamin. This receptor-mediated process actively transports vitamin B12 from the gastrointestinal tract and into the blood stream. Access' scientists have found that the attachment of vitamin B12 to drugs, polymers containing active substances and even compounds encapsulated in nanoparticles create formulations that are absorbed into the body using this uptake mechanism.

In preclinical studies, this technology has already demonstrated its potential to allow proteins to be delivered via oral administration. Currently, administration of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and antibody fragments is possible only by parenteral methods.

Under the terms of the agreement, Celltech has been granted rights to license the vitamin B12 technology for a defined number of antigen targets. The financial terms of the collaboration have not been disclosed.

Kerry Gray, Access' chief executive, said: "utilising the vitamin B12 system in combination with our nanoparticle technology offers the potential for the effective oral delivery of macromolecules including monoclonal antibodies."