AvMax

Avmax Inc. was a biopharmaceutical company focused on improving the oral bioavailability and clinical performance of poorly absorbed drugs. The company specialized in the development of small molecule inhibitors targeting the Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) enzyme and the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux transporter, which are primary barriers to drug absorption in the gut. By utilizing its proprietary "Avmax System," the company sought to co-formulate these inhibitors with existing therapeutics to increase blood levels and reduce inter-patient variability. Their research was notably inspired by the biochemical mechanisms behind the "grapefruit juice effect." Avmax was acquired by Wyeth in 2001 for approximately $150 million to bolster Wyeth's drug delivery capabilities.