Unmet Need / Invention Novelty: Intravitreal injection is the gold standard for achieving drug delivery to the posterior segment of the eye. However, achieving effective delivery is challenging and the injections need to be performed frequently which hinders patient compliance. There therefore exists an unmet need to develop a formulation for intraocular drug delivery that can effectively deliver drugs to the posterior segment of the eye with sustained release.
Technical Details: Johns Hopkins researchers have developed a novel formulation for achieving noninvasive, sustained release drug delivery to posterior segments of the eye. The formulation consists of drugs in microcrystalline form that bind a ligand or receptor in the eye, leading to increased delivery and long-lasting therapeutic activity within the eye. in vivo studies demonstrated formulation binding to the ligand in the eye and prolonged therapeutic drug efficacy, without toxicity, compared to drugs in the non-crystalline form.
Value Proposition:
• Sustained drug release based on inherent drug targeting properties
• Superior and non-toxic drug delivery and long-lasting therapeutic efficacy
• Compatible with therapeutic, prophylactic and/or diagnostic agent delivery
• The microcrystal formulations can be used to treat various eye conditions
Looking for Partners to: Develop & commercialize the technology as a novel formulation for sustained release intraocular drug delivery.
Stage of Development: Pre-Clinical
Data Availability: in vitro & in vivo
Inventors: Laura Ensign-Hodges, Justin Hanes, Yoo Chun Kim, Tung Heng Henry Hsueh & Hyounkoo Han
Publication(s): N/A
