Reference #: 01594
The University of South Carolina is offering licensing opportunities for Phospholipid Presenting Particles for Cell Targeting in Therapy and Diagnostics
Background:
Current FDA approved controlled/extended-release formulations based on polyesters such as polylactic acid, poly(lactide-co-glycolide), and polycaprolactone do not benefit from surface functionalization which could enable cell targeting and cell signaling.
Invention Description:
We have devised a method to alter the surface reactivity of polymer particles widely used in basic science and clinical practice to enable cell and tissue targeting. We utilize the same methodology as practiced by Pharma to make over 19 FDA-approved polymer particle drug formulations. The new surface reactivity is achieved by adding a phospholipid into this workflow. The phospholipid inserts into the surface of the particle and is then available for engaging cells and tissues.
Potential Applications:
One of the formulations targets an immune cell associated with cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and aging. So theoretically, the entire human population.
Advantages and Benefits:
In other approaches, particle surface functionalization is usually achieved through covalent linkage or passive adsorption of the chemical modifier. Although this approach is effective, it requires an additional reaction step following particle formation. Attaching the chemical modifier post particle formation also has the potential drawback of a chemical reaction yield that is hard to control and difficult to characterize. In addition, particle yield will likely be decreased by the additional purification steps. Our approach to modifying particle surface chemistry during particle formation addresses all these issues. Importantly, there is already GMP established to produce drug-loaded polyester particles. These particles are made using an emulsion technique. In general, the drug and drug carrier are dissolved in an oil phase, which is then added to water. The particles then spontaneously form and are harvested by separation techniques (e.g., centrifugation). In our approach, the phospholipid is added to the oil phase along with the drug and the drug carrier.