Self-reporting Nano-material for Sustained Intraocular Drug Delivery This project involves the development of a new material to overcome the largest barrier to effective treatment of eye disorders: the difficulty in delivering appropriate doses of drugs to key regions of the eye for sustained periods. A cross-disciplinary team of UCSD researchers has exploited a customized nanomaterial that enables them to deliver drugs in a sustained-release manner, and to monitor drug levels in the eye, non-invasively, throughout the course of treatment. The novelty of this approach lies in the fact that this customized nano-material has optical properties that allows one to monitor drug levels in the implant without invasive procedures to the eye. The optical properties of this material change in a reproducible fashion as the concentration of drug decreases within the implant, making this an ideal material for drug delivery and non-invasive reporting of drug levels. The use of this nanomaterial minimizes the number of injections required, reducing cost, scarring and the likelihood of infection, and ensures that the patient receives an effective dose throughout the treatment period.The research team has already obtained promising proof-of-concept data showing that: This material is non-toxic and remains within the vitreum for 3 weeks or longer;One can monitor the optical characteristics of the implants and therefore the quantity of drugs remaining by viewing them through the iris, without injury to the eye; andCertain anti-angiogenic drugs useful for local treatment of macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy are released slowly from these particles.The researchers are seeking a commercial partner to support further research and development to bring this novel drug delivery system to the market and thereby improve patient care. The research team combines UCSD's expertise in nano-fabrication, photonic system design, bioengineering, and patient care for eye disease. The studies will be carried out in the new, state-of-the-art, Jacobs Retina Center, opened at UCSD in 2004. The Jacobs Retina Center also has dedicated clinical trial facilities that can be used to further test this drug delivery system. Recent data on this nanomaterial as a self-reporting drug delivery vehicle can be found in: Science (2003) v. 299, 2045-2047. A patent is pending.Powerpoint Presentation Download About TechTIPS / Newsletter / Search / Contact Us / Home
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