Proprietary Technology Platforms

Alkermes has three proprietary technologies that enable delivery of both small molecules and complex macromolecules.

Medisorb® Technology

Alkermes’ proprietary, injectable extended-release technology, called the Medisorb® technology, enables us to develop treatments that sustain effective levels of medication in the body over a prolonged time period. We have two commercial products based on this technology, RISPERDAL® CONSTA® and VIVITROL®.


Our extended-release technology allows us to encapsulate small molecules, peptides and proteins in microspheres made of biodegradable polymers. With extended-release profiles lasting from days to months, these microspheres are designed to eliminate the need for frequent dosing. 


Alkermes’ extended-release technology is distinguished by:

  • Clinically-proven extended-release of medication from microspheres in humans
  • Demonstrated safety and tolerability in human clinical trials
  • Potential to improve patient adherence to therapy, especially where extended-release dosage administration is an important factor for the selection of a medication for treatment
  • Broad applicability to small molecules, peptides and proteins
  • Demonstrated manufacturing capability at laboratory scale, pilot scale and commercial manufacturing scale, in compliance with cGMPs
  • Ability to achieve a customized extended-release profile lasting from days to months

Medifusion Technology

Alkermes’ proprietary long-acting Fc fusion technology platform, called the Medifusion™ technology, is designed to extend the circulating half-life of proteins and peptides in order to create an effective, long-acting injectable medication. The Medifusion technology is able to extend the half-life of proteins and peptides through the combined action of Fc fusion and hyperglycosylation. The resulting extended systemic half-life of the therapeutic compound allows for reduced dosing frequency. We are currently developing ALKS 6931 based on this technology.


Alkermes’ Medifusion technology is distinguished by:

  • Systemic delivery of Fc fusion peptides and proteins
  • Potential to achieve a customized extended-release profile lasting from days to months
  • Potential to improve patient adherence to therapy, especially where extended-release dosage administration is an important factor for the selection of a medication for treatment

LinkeRx Technology

Alkermes’ long-acting proprietary LinkeRx™ technology platform enables the creation of extended-release injectable versions of antipsychotic therapies and may also be useful in other disease areas in which long action may provide therapeutic benefits. The technology uses proprietary linker-tail chemistry to create New Molecular Entities (NMEs) derived from known agents. These NMEs are designed to have improved clinical utility, manufacturing and ease-of-use compared to other long-acting medications. We are currently developing ALKS 9070 using this technology.


Alkermes’ LinkeRx technology is distinguished by:

  • Potential to achieve an extended-release profile lasting from days to months
  • Potential to improve patient adherence to therapy, especially where extended-release dosage administration is an important factor for the selection of a medication for treatment

Clinical Trials