Injectable Peptide Hydrogel for Local and Controlled Delivery of Immunosuppressive Drugs

Value Proposition

·        Localized Drug Delivery: Enables targeted delivery of immunosuppressive drugs directly to transplant sites or affected organs, minimizing systemic exposure.

·        Minimize Systemic Toxicity: Local delivery enables lower drug doses and minimizes systemic drug-associated toxicity.

·        Extended Drug Release: Crystallization of drug within the hydrogel results in sustained release of the drug at the site of administration.

·        Compatible with Standard Care: Compatible with all major immunosuppressant drugs and enables simple syringe injection of the peptide hydrogel composition directly to or adjacent to the transplant site or affected organ.

Unmet Need

·        There are nearly 2.5 million tissue transplant surgeries performed each year in the United States (ATS), and autoimmune diseases affect approximately 50 million Americans (NHC), all requiring immunosuppressive therapy to prevent organ rejection or manage disease progression.

·        However, current standard of care involves daily oral medications or systemic injections that expose the entire body to immunosuppressive drugs, even though only the transplanted organ requires protection.

·        However, systemic administration exposes the entire body to immunosuppressive effects when only the transplant site requires protection, resulting in dose-limiting toxicities including impairment of renal function, hypertension, and lymphatic malignancies.

·        Therefore, there is a strong need for a locally administered immunosuppressant which reduces the drug-associated toxicity of systemic distribution.

Technology Description

·        Researchers at Johns Hopkins have developed a self-assembling peptide hydrogel capable of encapsulating immunosuppressive small molecule drugs in crystalized form. 

·        In-vivo studies demonstrate successful formulation and delivery of the immunosuppressant tofacitinib within the peptide hydrogel system.

Stage of Development

·        The disclosed technology has completed proof-of-concept studies including peptide hydrogel formulation with immunosuppressive drugs and validation in an in vivo mouse model.

Data Availability

·        Data available upon request.

Publication: 

1. Patent Application: US-2022-0016250

2. Issued Patent: EP3787664