Unmet Need / Invention Novelty: Traditional routes of administrating drugs to the eye are limited by lack of efficiency, frequent side effects, and poor patient tolerance of repeated injections into the eye. Injections into the suprachoroidal space (SCS) is an attractive strategy to overcome these limitations and to provide for targeted delivery of drugs to the back of the eye. Described here are novel biodegradable microparticle formulations suitable for suprachoroidal drug delivery.
Technical Details: Researchers at Johns Hopkins have developed a novel formulation for the controlled release of retinal drugs. The formulation consists of polymeric microparticles that can be loaded with drugs and administered suprachoroidally for steady delivery of the drug over a prolonged period time. in vivo validation in rodent models demonstrated at least 8 weeks of controlled release with minimal burst as well as therapeutic efficacy for at least 18 weeks. The formulation maximizes drug benefit and minimizes toxicity with minimal inflammation or effect on vision.
Value Proposition:
• Sustained release of drugs over time with minimal inflammation or effect on vision
• High drug loading capacity
• Broad applicability for therapeutic, prophylactic and/or diagnostic drugs either alone or in combination
• Superior efficacy and safety relative to intravitreal administration of the same drug
Looking for Partners to: Develop & commercialize as novel formulation for back of the eye, controlled release drug delivery via SCS administration
Stage of Development: Pre-Clinical
Data Availability: in vitro & in vivo
Inventors: Laura Ensign, Peter Campochiaro, Justin Hanes & Yoo Chun Kim
Patent Status: Pending PCT application.
Publication(s)/Related Technology: Hackett SF & Fu J. et al. 2020. Biomaterials, 243:119935.
