Draft:Innocore
Dutch pharmaceutical company specializing in long‑acting injectables for proteins, peptides, antibodies, oligonucleotides and small molecules
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 | |
 Innocore's headquarters in Groningen, The Netherlands | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Pharmaceutical |
| Founded | 2004 in Groningen, The Netherlands |
| Founders | Rob Steendam, Theo Flipsen |
| Headquarters | Groningen, The Netherlands |
Key people | Hans de Backer (CEO),
Rob Steendam (CTO & Co-founder), Non executives: Jan Hendriks |
| Products | Long-acting injectables |
Number of employees | 41 (2026) |
| Website | Innocore.com Innocore.nl |
Innocore
Innocore (also known as Innocore Pharmaceuticals or Innocore Technologies B.V.) is a privately held Dutch drug delivery development company headquartered in Groningen, the Netherlands. The company specializes in the development of biodegradable long‑acting injectable (LAI) drug delivery systems for peptides[1], therapeutic proteins, (bispecific) antibodies[2], oligonucleotides[3] and small molecule[4] therapeutics. Its technology platform is based on proprietary polymer-based drug delivery systems, primarily SynBiosys®. [5]
History
Innocore was founded in 2004 in Groningen, The Netherlands, by Rob Steendam and Theo Flipsen. [6][7][8] Since its inception, the company has focused on sustained-release injectable drug delivery technologies, including subcutaneous, intramuscular, local, intratumoral and opthalmological applications, using its proprietary biodegradable polymer SynBiosys®.
The technology enables the development of multiple dosage forms, including microspheres[9], in situ forming depots [10], implants [11] and gels [12].
In 2006, SurModics announced an option agreement to obtain exclusive rights in defined fields to the SynBiosys® polymer system.[13] As part of this collaboration, sirolimus was encapsulated in the SynBiosys polymer® for sustained release over a period of 30 days.
In December 2009, OrbusNeich initiated a randomized clinical trial (REMEEDEE study) evaluating the Combo Bio-engineered Sirolimus-Eluting Stent, which incorporated SynBiosys® polymer technology.[14] Results reported in 2011, demonstrated non-inferiority compared to a paclitaxel-eluting stent in terms of in-stent late lumen loss.[15] The Combo Dual Therapy Stent received CE mark approval in 2013, representing the first commercial medical product incorporating SynBiosys® technology. [16] Subsequent approvals were obtained in Japan (2019) [17] and China 2020. [18]
In 2013, Innocore entered into an exclusive license and collaboration agreement with Allergan, Inc. to develop long-acting ocular drug delivery products. [19] Following the acquisition of Allergan by AbbVie in 2020 [20] no status updates on this agreement have been publicly shared.
In 2018, Merck kGa announced a global cooperation agreement with Innocore to access its biodegradable polymer platform. [21]
In recent years, Innocore has focused on developing long-acting injectable product concepts in collaboration with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Reported collaborations have primarily involved peptide- and biologic-based therapeutics.
Technologies
SynBiosys®
SynBiosys® is Innocore’s primary drug delivery platform, consisting of biodegradable multiblock copolymers composed of hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains. The polymer structure enables controlled drug release and tunable degradation behavior.
The material typically includes:
- Hydrophilic polyethylene glycol (PEG) segments, which absorb water and facilitate diffusion of biomolecules
- Hydrophobic crystalline domains, which provide structural integrity and control degradation
The platform supports the development of microspheres, in situ forming depots, and implantable systems.[22]
Reported characteristics include:
- Sustained release profiles extending up to six months or longer
- Biodegradability
- Preservation of protein and peptide integrity
- Applicability across therapeutic areas and multiple modalities
- Clinical validation in device-based applications [23]
InGell™(LiQuidPolymer; LQP)
InGell™ is a separate platform, consisting of triblock copolymers (PCLA–PEG–PCLA) developed for solubilizing hydrophobic small molecules. The formulation is liquid at room temperature but forms a solid depot after injection in vivo. Drug release occurs via a combination of diffusion and surface erosion. Sustained release durations are typically reported in the range of one to three months [24]
Comparison SynBiosys® with PLGA
PLGA
Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is a synthetic aliphatic polyester produced by the copolymerization of lactic acid and glycolic acid in varying molar ratios. It is one of the most widely used biodegradable polymers in controlled drug delivery systems and has been approved by major regulatory authorities for various medical applications. Since the 1980s, PLGA has been extensively applied in long-acting injectable (LAI) depot formulations, largely due to its predictable degradation behavior, established safety profile, and broad regulatory acceptance.
PLGA-based systems are commonly used for[25]:
- Small-molecule drugs
- Short peptides and low-molecular-weight biologics (typically ≤ ~5 kDa)
This suitability is generally attributed to:
- Compatibility between hydrophobic drug substances and the polymer matrix
- Degradation-driven release mechanisms that can be reasonably predicted
- Established manufacturing processes for encapsulating low-molecular-weight compounds
A substantial body of scientific literature describes the use of PLGA microspheres for extending drug release, improving pharmacokinetics, and enhancing patient compliance in chronic therapies.[26][27][28]
However, PLGA-based systems may present limitations when applied to more complex or sensitive biomolecules, including larger peptides, proteins, and other biologics. Reported challenges include:[29]
- Instability of encapsulated biomolecules due to hydrophobic interactions
- Accumulation of acidic degradation products, which may affect protein stability
- Limited diffusion within dense polymer matrices
- Burst release and less predictable release kinetics in certain formulations
SynBiosys® polymers
SynBiosys® is a proprietary class of biodegradable multiblock copolymers developed for use in drug delivery applications, including long-acting injectable formulations. The platform is based on poly(ether ester) multiblock copolymers composed of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments.
The polymer architecture typically incorporates:
- Hydrophilic domains, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), which absorb water and facilitates diffusion
- Hydrophobic crystalline domains (e.g., lactide, glycolide, ε-caprolactone, p-dioxanone), which provide structural integrity and influence degradation behavior
This combination can result in hydrogel-like structures upon hydration, supporting controlled drug release.
According to company disclosures and related publications, SynBiosys® polymers have been developed to address certain limitations associated with conventional PLGA systems:
- Stability of peptides and biologicals The presence of hydrophilic domains may reduce protein denaturation associated with hydrophobic adsorption, restricted mobility, and local acidification. This can contribute to improved preservation of molecular integrity during encapsulation and release.
- Multiblock copolymer architecture The modular design of SynBiosys® polymers allows variation in block composition and length, enabling tuning of physicochemical properties such as glass transition temperature, swelling behavior, degradation rate, and hydrophilic–hydrophobic balance. In contrast, PLGA offers more limited structural variability.
- Release kinetics The combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains can enable diffusion-controlled release mechanisms, in addition to polymer degradation. This may allow for more gradual and tunable release profiles, with reduced initial burst effects in some formulations.
- Encapsulation and processing The platform has been reported to support encapsulation under relatively mild processing conditions, which may help maintain the structural and functional integrity of sensitive biomolecules.
- Degradation profile and biocompatibility Unlike PLGA, which degrades into lactic and glycolic acid and may locally reduce pH, SynBiosys® polymers are reported to degrade into less acidic components. This may influence local tolerability and stability of encapsulated compounds.
- Applicability across modalities SynBiosys® has been applied in the development of formulations for a range of therapeutic modalities, including peptides, proteins, monoclonal antibodies, oligonucleotides, and small molecules.
- Intellectual property The platform is supported by a portfolio of patents relating to multiblock copolymer compositions and drug delivery systems.
Products and Pipeline
Innocore primarily focuses on the development of long-acting injectable therapeutics targeting peptides and biologics.[30] The company operates as a development partner, working with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to advance drug delivery formulations.
Partnerships
Patents
Innocore holds a portfolio of patents related to biodegradable multiblock copolymers and drug delivery systems. These patents are filed across multiple jurisdictions, including the European Union, United States, Japan, Canada, and Australia [32]