Retinoids are a class of structural Vitamin A analogs that influence cellular proliferation and differentiation, while exhibiting broad chemo-preventive activity in carcinogenesis models. Retinoic acids and retinols are soluble compounds that serve as the active ingredient in several parenteral products on the market.  In contrast, neutral (uncharged) retinoids are poorly soluble and current dosage forms are unable to achieve adequate systemic exposure following oral or parenteral administration.  The limited options for administration of these novel retinoids are major impediments in realizing their therapeutic potential. 
The first neutral retinoid application for this novel drug delivery system is a promising cancer prevention agent, called fenretinide, which was created and developed by Johnson & Johnson (J & J). Upon discontinuation of development, J & J transferred fenretinide to the United States National Cancer Institute (NCI) where it was tested as an oral application in the treatment of various cancer indications. The results, flowing from these human clinical trials, have highlighted the potential of this agent in the treatment of a number of cancer indications. Unfortunately, this potential has never been fully realized since existing pharmaceutical technology has depended on utilizing orally dosed formulations that were incapable of achieving effective drug levels due to the insoluble and non-absorption nature of the compound.  
In solving this problem by creating an intravenous version of fenretinide, the drug can be delivered in dosage levels shown to produce internal concentrations that induce cell death without additional toxic or allergic effects due to vehicle excipients, toxic substances used in traditional IV drug formulations. Moreover, SciTech envisions creating a product that can deliver combination drug therapies and/or target that delivery to specific organs, such as the pancreas, by utilizing this advanced technology.