Micron-scale, chemically-controlled, auto-injection systems for at-home drug delivery

用于家庭给药的微米级化学控制自动注射系统

• 批准号: EP/X04128X/1
• 负责人: Ryan Donnelly
• 金额: $ 143.03万
• 依托单位: Queen's University Belfast
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Research Grant
• 财政年份: 2024
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2024 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=EP%2FX04128X%2F1
• 关键词: Micron; scale; chemically; controlled; auto

Traditional pharmaceutical drugs are small molecules that treat the symptoms of a disease. Biopharmaceuticals are larger molecules, for example, peptides, proteins and antibodies, which target the underlying mechanisms and pathways of a disease that are not accessible with traditional drugs. Recently, there have been rapid and revolutionary developments in this field of biotechnology. Therapeutic peptides, proteins and antibodies are expected to be used extensively in the coming years as vaccines and as treatments for cancer, high blood pressure, pain, blood clots and many other illnesses. However, one of the major challenges to successful clinical use of these so-called "biotech" molecules is their efficient delivery to the site of action. The body breaks these medicines down when they are swallowed and they are generally not well-absorbed into the blood. As a result, they have to be given frequently by injection, which is painful and means that these drugs are usually only administered in hospital. Long-acting formulations of small molecules, increasingly to the fore in treating HIV and TB, must also be injected. The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly increased the need for self-administration of injectables at home, away from healthcare settings, where transmission can have dire consequences and healthcare systems are backlogged. Complexities of storage, distribution and administration, needle phobia and the difficulty of domestic disposal of potentially-contaminated sharps all contribute to an urgent need for alternative delivery modes for injectable drugs/vaccines. We have developed a novel type of transdermal patch that by-passes the skin's barrier layer, which is called the stratum corneum. The patch surface has many tiny needles that pierce the stratum corneum without causing any pain - The sensation is said to feel like a cat's tongue. These needles create tiny holes in the stratum corneum, through which drugs/vaccines can enter the body from a unique reservoir system powered by simple and safe chemistry. Our unique technology could potentially revolutionise the delivery of peptides and proteins, antibodies, vaccines, as well as that of long-acting small molecules that cannot currently be delivered across the skin. In the UK, the NHS stands to benefit from at-home dosing of medicines/vaccines that normally require a healthcare worker's time and expertise. Ultimately, health-related-quality-of-life will be enhanced through improved disease control by empowered patients. At-home treatment, keeping people away from healthcare settings, will also help reduce spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory pathogens (e.g. influenza, Strep A) to vulnerable in-patients and healthcare workers whilst also, importantly, allowing NHS staff to focus on overcoming the backlog in normal diagnosis and treatment of non-COVID disease.We have attracted considerable interest and funding from industry to develop our first and second generation microneedle technologies for a range of applications. However, to facilitate the translational development of the novel third generation technology to be investigated here and maximise value to the UK, it is essential to develop methods to fully understand these new high-dose microneedles. We will ensure that their efficacy is guaranteed by employing advanced computer-guided device design and rationalisation, coupled with extensive laboratory investigation. Ultimately, commercialisation of the technology will be the primary route by which UK industry, the NHS and patients will derive benefits.

传统药物是治疗疾病症状的小分子药物。生物制药是更大的分子，例如肽、蛋白质和抗体，它们靶向传统药物无法达到的疾病的潜在机制和途径。最近，在生物技术这一领域出现了迅速和革命性的发展。治疗性肽、蛋白质和抗体有望在未来几年内被广泛用作疫苗，并用于治疗癌症、高血压、疼痛、血栓和许多其他疾病。然而，这些所谓的“生物技术”分子的成功临床应用的主要挑战之一是它们有效地递送到作用部位。当这些药物被吞咽时，身体会分解它们，并且它们通常不会被很好地吸收到血液中。因此，它们必须经常通过注射给药，这是痛苦的，这意味着这些药物通常只能在医院使用。长效小分子制剂在治疗艾滋病毒和结核病方面越来越重要，也必须注射。COVID-19大流行大大增加了在家中自行注射的需求，远离医疗机构，在那里传播可能会产生可怕的后果，医疗系统积压。储存、分配和给药的复杂性、针头恐惧症以及潜在污染的尖锐物的家庭处置的困难都促成了对可注射药物/疫苗的替代递送模式的迫切需要。我们开发了一种新型的透皮贴剂，它可以绕过皮肤的屏障层，也就是角质层。贴片表面有许多微小的针，刺穿角质层而不会引起任何疼痛-感觉据说像猫的舌头。这些针头在角质层上形成微小的孔，通过这些孔，药物/疫苗可以从一个由简单而安全的化学物质提供动力的独特储库系统进入人体。我们独特的技术可能会彻底改变肽和蛋白质、抗体、疫苗以及目前无法通过皮肤递送的长效小分子的递送。在英国，NHS将受益于通常需要医疗保健工作者的时间和专业知识的在家给药药物/疫苗。最终，通过增强患者的能力来改善疾病控制，将提高与健康有关的生活质量。在家治疗，让人们远离医疗机构，也将有助于减少COVID-19和其他呼吸道病原体的传播（如流感，链球菌A），以脆弱的住院病人和医护人员，同时，重要的是，允许NHS工作人员专注于克服非正常诊断和治疗的积压，我们吸引了业界的大量兴趣和资金，以开发我们的第一代和第二代微针技术，用于一系列应用。然而，为了促进本文研究的新型第三代技术的转化发展并最大限度地提高对英国的价值，必须开发方法来充分了解这些新的高剂量微针。我们会采用先进的计算机引导仪器设计和合理化，并进行广泛的实验室研究，以确保这些仪器的效能得到保证。最终，该技术的商业化将是英国工业、NHS和患者从中受益的主要途径。