Nanoparticle technology for targeted therapeutic and diagnostic delivery

The invention involves nanoparticles for targeted delivery of therapeutic and diagnostic agents. These nanoparticles accumulate in specific tissues, disintegrate upon stimuli, and release active agents, enhancing treatment specificity and efficacy while minimizing systemic effects.

Background

Nanoparticles have their potential to revolutionize drug delivery systems. The need for such technology arises from the limitations of conventional drug delivery methods, which often result in suboptimal therapeutic outcomes. Traditional methods lack the precision to target specific tissues or organs, leading to widespread distribution of drugs throughout the body. This can cause systemic side effects and reduce the efficacy of the treatment. Nanoparticles can be engineered to overcome these challenges by enabling targeted delivery of therapeutic agents, thereby improving the specificity and efficacy of treatments.

Current approaches to drug delivery, especially for monoclonal antibodies and other therapeutic proteins, face significant hurdles. These include unfavorable pharmacokinetic properties, such as rapid clearance from the body and instability during storage and transport.

Additionally, achieving selective delivery to specific tissues remains a major challenge. When administered, these therapeutic agents are predominantly distributed in the plasma rather than accumulating at the target site, necessitating frequent dosing to maintain effective concentrations. This not only increases the risk of side effects but also complicates treatment regimens. Consequently, there is a pressing need for improved formulations and delivery methods that can enhance the accumulation of therapeutic agents in target tissues while minimizing systemic exposure.

Technology description

The technology involves the development of nanoparticles specifically designed for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. These nanoparticles are engineered to target specific tissues or organs, where they release therapeutic or diagnostic agents. The nanoparticles are composed of self-crosslinked therapeutic agents and those dispersed within a matrix, which can be made of crosslinked polymers or non-covalently bound compounds.

Upon reaching the target tissue, the nanoparticles disintegrate in response to specific stimuli such as oxidants or reductants, releasing the active agents precisely at the desired site. This targeted delivery system enhances the specificity and efficacy of therapeutic agents, particularly monoclonal antibodies and other proteins, by concentrating their effects on target tissues while minimizing systemic distribution.

What differentiates this technology is its ability to address the limitations of monoclonal antibodies and other therapeutic proteins, which often face challenges such as unfavorable pharmacokinetic properties and stability issues. By using nanoparticles that selectively accumulate in target tissues and disintegrate in response to environmental stimuli, the technology allows for more precise delivery of therapeutic agents. This reduces the need for frequent dosing and minimizes systemic side effects, which are common with traditional administration methods.

The use of stimuli-cleavable crosslinks further ensures that the active agents are released only in the presence of specific triggers, enhancing the safety and effectiveness of the treatment.

Benefits

Enhanced specificity and efficacy of therapeutic agents by their targeted delivery to specific tissues or organs
Minimized systemic distribution of therapeutic agents, reducing off-target side effects
Improved accumulation of biologics such as monoclonal antibodies and other proteins, in target tissues
Stimuli-responsive disintegration of nanoparticles for controlled release of active agents at the desired site
Potential to overcome pharmacokinetic limitations and stability issues of monoclonal antibodies
Versatile design accommodating various therapeutic and diagnostic agents, including proteins and small molecules