Oral Amphotericin B Delivery System

In developing nations, the need for oral therapies is not a matter of convenience or cost, but instead is one of survival. The benefit of developing oral therapies is illustrated by the protozoan Leishmania donovani, an insidious parasite that is transmitted by the bite of an infected sand fly that affects over 200 million people from 62 countries.

The laboratory of Dr. Kishor Wasan of the University of British Columbia has made significant strides toward the development of a proprietary, lipid-based AmpB formulation for oral administration. Initial data from both cell lines and in vivo research indicate that it is highly efficacious and exhibits low toxicity within the dosage range required for the treatment of diseases such as disseminated fungal infections and leishmaniasis. Additional studies are underway to optimize the formulation.

The oral Amphotericin B delivery system has been granted Orphan Drug status for the treatment of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Download Oral Amphotericin B Delivery System Fact Sheet (pdf)