Team Infinity

Neurotech are pioneering the implantation of encapsulated cells into the posterior section of the eye to deliver therapeutic proteins

Since the launch of pSividia’s Retisert, surgical implants have been gaining acceptance as a delivery mechanism to the posterior part of the eye.

In recent years methods have been developed to access the posterior section of the eye to treat conditions such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. As so little of the drug is absorbed into this part of the eye, this has involved an injection directly into the vitreous

Nanoparticles are being developed to deliver vaccines through the lungs and nose without the need for syringes – thus reducing the risk of infection and needle-stick injury.

Enzymes are currently involved in industrial processes with annual turnovers adding many billions of pounds.

Several enzymes, especially those used in starch processing, high-fructose syrup manufacture, textile resizing and detergent formulation, are now traded as commodity products on the world's markets.

Enzymes as drugs have two important features that distinguish them from all other types of drugs.

Firstly, enzymes often bind and act on their targets with great affinity and specificity.

Second, enzymes are catalytic and convert multiple target molecules to the desired products.

ULURU (Manufacturing comapny) are developing a novel biomaterial that utilises hydrogel nanoparticle aggregates to form a material of varying strength and function. The aggregate is then implanted into the body to form a permanent, porous hydrogel implant

Nanotechnology:
The aim of nanoparticles in drug delivery is to improve drug uptake and specificity while also reducing side-effects. These aims can be achieved through drug encapsulation, reduced immune response and improved drug targeting and delivery.

In November 2007, a research group at Carnegie Mellon University announced they had developed microcapsules capable of delivering genetically engineered adult neural stem cells into the brain where they then produce an essential enzyme.

Microcapsules are small particles or beads ranging in size from <1micron to several millimetres
and which contain a wide variety of active ingredients
There are three main types of microcapsule –
Aggregate or matrix (one substance uniformly distributed),
Mononuclear (a shell-core morphology) and
Polynuclear (more than one core enclosed within the shell)

The production of functional seeds with good physical characteristics depends on the properties of the materials used and the success of the process can be classified as formulation dependent.