Project 11: Cyclodextrin nanotechnology: drug delivery to the posterior segments of the eye

Diseases of the posterior segment of the eye are increasing considerably, in part due to an ageing population. Typical treatment involves regular injections into the eye, which is associated with significant patient discomfort and potentially serious side effects, including bleeding, infection and retinal detachment. As such, there is an unmet clinical need for the development of new and improved drug delivery techniques to treat this and similar diseases of the posterior segment of the eye.

The main objective of the project is to develop a novel g-cyclodextrin based solubilizing nanoparticles (SNPs) containing a kinase inhibitor in aqueous eye drops. Furthermore, the drug pharmacokinetics of a the kinase inhibitor will be determined, both in vitro and in vivo, as well as the biodegradation of the SNPs.

Such aqueous eye drops could greatly improve patient comfort and reduce the need for invasive methods to treat ocular diseases in the posterior part of the eye. The project is transdisciplinary in nature, incorporating chemical, biomedical, polymeric, industrial and clinical expertise.

Expected results are:

  • Development of biodegradable g-cyclodextrin-based SNPs for topical delivery of kinase inhibitors to the eye.
  • Dissociation profile of the SNPs and degradation profile of y-cyclodextrin in simulated tear fluid and in an animal model.
  • Pharmacokinetic profile of a model kinase inhibitor in several eye tissues after administration of the drug in SNPs.
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