Product Description
Our product is a disposable drug delivery pump worn like a patch.  The device acts as a platform for satisfying a broad range of demanding drug delivery applications. It is fully self-contained and small in size, making it convenient to wear and easy to hide. The key to this technology is the non-electronic, hydrogel-based pump that enables customized delivery profiles.  

There are several competing products that can deliver large molecule drugs; insulin pumps, needles, injector pens, and inhalers.  Our product is fundamentally different because it is low-cost, painless, can administer a sustained delivery up to 24 hours, and delivers the drug into the skin.  We understand the rigorous demands of formulating a safe drug and are committed to making their administration as simple as possible.

Competitive Advantage
Here are many transdermal delivery systems in the development pipeline and on the market.  None are non-electronic, hydrogel-based, and provide an active injection via microneedles.  Most importantly, the low-cost of the device will make it an attractive option for pharmaceutical applications across the board.

Our first-to-market advantage in the vaccine space will translate into other application areas in the short-term.  In the long term, our platform-friendly design will be customized to match unmet clinical needs.  As competition in the transdermal space stiffens, we are confident that our innovative, low-cost technology will rise above the noise and help to improve many people’s quality of life.

Why Vaccines?
Ratio has signed a co-development deal with FluGen, Inc. for a combination product that delivers influenza vaccine.  The painless injection is expected to increase resistance to seasonal flu by delivering to the immune-rich outer layer of the skin.  There are numerous vaccines that benefit from being delivered intradermally (in the skin) opposed to intramuscularly (in the muscle).  Some vaccines have shown up to a five-fold increased efficacy from intradermal delivery.  Effectively, this means a device that can deliver reliably to the skin can turn one dose of vaccine into five doses. 

Microneedles are designed to deliver drugs intradermally and thus hold enormous potential for dose sparing of injectable vaccines.  Additionally, microneedles are small enough that they are virtually painless for the user.  Ratio’s technology will transform the way that vaccines are administered. 

Tony Escarcega, Co Founder

Mr. Escarcega is a serial entrepreneur, has founded three start-up companies, and was responsible for identifying the value of the early intellectual property.  He holds an M.S. in Biomedical Engineering and an MBA from UW-Madison. He continues to have a management role in the company, developing strategic initiatives for Ratio.

Dave Beebe, Co Founder

Dr. Beebe is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Ratio is his third biotech start-up company.  His world-renowned expertise in microfluidics and project management experience of highly technical projects is invaluable to the technology’s development. 

Ben Moga, Director

Mr. Moga holds a M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from UW-Madison.  Ratio is the second medical device start-up company that he has held primary responsibility for the device design and testing the technology from concept to animal trials.  His expanding role in business development guarantees a sound technical presence.

© 2009 Ratio