Novel nanoparticle-based drug compositions and methods that improve and expand therapeutic drug delivery to the lungs through pressurized meter-dose inhalers (pMDIs). A large variety of approaches have been developed at WSU aimed at improving the aerosol characteristics and expanding the range of target species deliverable. These improved formulations are relevant in numerous pulmonary drug delivery markets. Most notably, the inventions are generally applicable to a wide variety of therapeutic molecules including polar and non-polar small molecule drugs, bio-macromolecules (proteins/peptides), nanotherapeutics and potential novel gene therapies (DNA/siRNA).
Applications: • Use of nanoparticle(NP) stabilizing colloids as a general platform for lung delivery (works with polar & non-polar drug particles, amorphous and crystalline therapeutics)• Various particle engineering methods (Ex: emulsification methods to create drug particles w/ surface modifying surfactants or stabilizing nanoparticles, formation of core-shell drug particles, porous morphologies for easy aerosolization) • Optimized surfactant compositions (biocompatible tri-block copolymers) • Colloidal Probe Microscopy method to screen HFA excipients using adhesion forces Stage of Development:• Pre-Clinical - patent pending
References: "Nanoparticle Stabilized Compressible Hydrofluoroalkanes" L. Wu & S.R.P. da Rocha, LANGMUIR , 27, pp 10501-10506. 2011