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。生物药物是较大的分子，例如肽，蛋白质和抗体，它们针对传统药物无法获得的疾病的基本机制和途径。最近，在这一生物技术领域，已经有了迅速而革命性的发展。预计在未来几年中，预计将广泛使用治疗肽，蛋白质和抗体作为癌症，高血压，疼痛，血凝块和许多其他疾病的治疗方法。但是，成功临床使用这些所谓的“生物技术”分子的主要挑战之一是它们有效地递送到行动部位。当这些药物吞咽时，身体会破坏这些药物，并且通常不会充分吸收血液。结果，必须经常通过注射给予它们，这很痛苦，这意味着这些药物通常仅在医院服用。还必须注射小分子的长效制剂，越来越多地治疗艾滋病毒和结核病。 COVID-19大流行极大地增加了对家里注射材料的自我管理的需求，远离医疗保健环境，在这种情况下，传播可能会带来可怕的后果，医疗保健系统被积压了。储存，分配和给药的复杂性，针恐惧症以及国内处置潜在污染尖锐的困难都有助于迫切需要对可注射药物/疫苗的替代输送模式。我们开发了一种新型的透皮贴片，该贴片绕过皮肤的屏障层，这称为角质层。斑块表面有许多微小的针，可以刺穿角膜层而不会引起任何疼痛 - 据说感觉就像是猫的舌头。这些针头在角质层中产生微小的孔，药物/疫苗可以通过由简单和安全的化学供电的独特储层系统进入人体。我们独特的技术可能会彻底改变肽和蛋白质，抗体，疫苗以及目前无法在皮肤上递送的长效小分子的递送。在英国，NHS将受益于通常需要医护人员的时间和专业知识的药品/疫苗的剂量。最终，通过有能力的患者改善疾病的控制，将增强与健康相关的寿命。在家治疗，使人们远离医疗保健环境，还将有助于减少Covid-19和其他呼吸道病原体的传播（例如流感，链球菌，链球菌A）易受伤害的住院和医护人员，同样重要的是，NHS员工可以专注于越来越多的疾病，使我们的养育型不合适，并吸引了不稳定的疾病。用于一系列应用的微针技术。但是，为了促进新型第三代技术的转化发展，并最大程度地提高了英国的价值，必须开发完全了解这些新的高剂量微针的方法。我们将通过采用先进的计算机制定设备设计和合理化以及广泛的实验室调查来确保其功效确保其功效。最终，该技术的商业化将是英国行业，NHS和患者将获得收益的主要途径。