Novel microsperes for drug delivery to bone - Isis Project No 3303
3-in-1 microspheres provide targeted drug delivery while encouraging new bone growth.
Oxford Researchers have developed a novel micro-particle drug delivery system, which:
- Binds specifically to bone
- Aids bone growth
- Provides a controlled release system for one or a cocktail of drugs.
Marketing Opportunity
Due to an aging population, the number of people with bone diseases is increasing dramatically. The majority of therapeutics for bone related diseases are systemic and this reduces the effectiveness of the therapy and increases its cost. There is a need for a delivery system that targets therapeutics directly to bone, preferably while also providing other functional benefits.
Microscopy image showing the core-shell
structure of HA-coated PLGA microspheres.
The Oxford Invention
A quick and simple method to load drugs within calcium phosphate coated poly (DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres has been developed within the Department of Materials in the University. Hydroxyapatite is a form of calcium phosphate that is an essential component of normal bone and teeth. Using hydroxyapatite as a coating material around a core of PLGA, rather than as a composite material with PLGA, gives the 3in1 action to the microsphere. To realise these properties in a single microsphere is a significant advancement on current drug delivery mechanisms and a prerequisite in the design of suitable bone delivery devices.
The microspheres provide a flexible delivery mechanism that can be tailored to suit the needs of different drugs and disease states. The method successfully entraps sensitive components, such as proteins and is thus applicable for a wide range of drugs. There is also minimal drug leakage or polymer degradation during microsphere production due to the design of the manufacturing process. The resultant microspheres lend themselves to local drug delivery either by direct injection into bone, addition into bone cement during a surgical procedure or as a coating on metal implants. It is also possible to deliver combinations of drugs or sequential release of different drugs via the microspheres – for example an antibiotic and an analgesic, a combination of anti-cancer drugs, or a combination of growth factors.
Patent Status
This work is the subject of a patent application, and Isis is actively seeking partners for the licensing and commercial development of this technology. Please contact the Isis project manager to discuss this opportunity.
Request Further Information: Project Number 3303 Novel Microspheres for Drug Delivery to Bone