Biological Membrane Transporters: Delivery Of An Oligonucleotide Inhibitor Of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$99,750.00
Summary
Choroidal neovascularisation, which is the most severe form of Age Related Macular Degeneration, is the major cause of blindness in the developed world. Gene therapy could be a cure for this disease if the problems associated with the delivery of DNA could be addressed. Our project involves a highly novel strategy for gene delivery involving ion pair formation of lipophilic dendrimers (tree-like compounds with positive charges on the surface). We will develop new DNA-dendrimer complexes and test ....Choroidal neovascularisation, which is the most severe form of Age Related Macular Degeneration, is the major cause of blindness in the developed world. Gene therapy could be a cure for this disease if the problems associated with the delivery of DNA could be addressed. Our project involves a highly novel strategy for gene delivery involving ion pair formation of lipophilic dendrimers (tree-like compounds with positive charges on the surface). We will develop new DNA-dendrimer complexes and test them in a well established animal model for neovascularisation. Successful completion of this project might offer a potential therapy for choroidal neovascularisation, with a good chance of entering into human clinical trials.Read moreRead less
Lipoceramic Technologies: A Solution To Low And Variable Bioavailability Of Poorly Soluble Anti-inflammatory Drugs
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$200,600.00
Summary
A novel oral drug delivery platform will be developed that improves the absorption of poorly soluble drugs from the GI tract, leads to improved clinical outcomes and has significant commercial value. This development will be based on the combination of formulation, in vitro analysis and in vivo animal model studies. An advanced prototype formulation will be established for celecoxib (a non-steroidal anti-inflamatory drug) that will be suitable for human phase 1 clinical trials.
Despite the acknowledged limitations of ophthalmic medication by means of topical guttae therapy, including toxicity, inefficiency and poor compliance, there has been no success in developing a true alternative suitable for a wide range of conditions. The availability of a simple, safe efficacious means of prolonged topical ophthalmic drug delivery would alter the practice of ophthalmology worldwide, with reduced morbidity, improved compliance and direct and indirect health savings. Poor patient ....Despite the acknowledged limitations of ophthalmic medication by means of topical guttae therapy, including toxicity, inefficiency and poor compliance, there has been no success in developing a true alternative suitable for a wide range of conditions. The availability of a simple, safe efficacious means of prolonged topical ophthalmic drug delivery would alter the practice of ophthalmology worldwide, with reduced morbidity, improved compliance and direct and indirect health savings. Poor patient compliance with topical guttae therapy is increasingly recognised as a source of significant morbidity. The occurrence of such a breakthrough in Australia would result in Australia benefiting from the boost to a medical biomaterial industry based here, with a large export market for a high value-m3 product. During the next phase of research for this project, over 1 year, we aim to do the following: Phase I: Manufacture a range of prototype devices, with variations in sponge and surface composition and evaluate these devices using a Sintech mechanical tester for elasticity and strength and by light and environmental scanning electron microscopy for structure and porosity. The liquid loading capacity will also be measured for each variant. Phase II: Using both hydrophilic and lipophilic models, drug loading and release kinetics will be assessed in vitro in a continuous flow system, with drug concentrations being measured by UV-Vis and HPLC. Drug stability within the devices will also be assessed. Phase III: Having determined the optimum sponge formulation and release kinetics in vitro, a pilot study will be undertaken to assess drug release in an animal model. Loaded devices will be placed within the inferior fornix the rabbits for specified periods from 0.5 to 96 hours, then removed so that drug levels remaining in the device can be assessed. After a 2 week flushing period, the experiments will be repeated but with animals being sacrificed at the end of the wearing period so that device levels in intraocular tissues and fluids, as well as remaining in the devices, can be determined at these times, with appropriate controls (‘blank’ devices and guttae therapy). This study will also fulfil the requirements for new device tolerance testing as specified by Regulatory authorities, as animals will be monitored for signs of irritation and histological studies will allow any evidence of inflammation to be identified. These studies do not allow evaluation of the device in a model diseased eye, nor attempt to establish drug loading levels required for human subjects, as there are differences in drug transport across the ocular surfaces of rabbits and humans, but will allow sufficient proof-of-principle for further development to occur.Read moreRead less
Novel System For Non-Invasive Delivery Of Drugs To The Interior Of The Eye
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$200,213.00
Summary
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of visual loss for adults in the developed world. Treatment is now by needle injection into the back of the eye, which is painful for the patient and is costly for the health-care system. Seagull Technology Pty Ltd has developed a non-invasive device for treating the back of the eye without the need for a needle injection. This project will test the new device in animals and then move to a first safety study for human AMD patients.
The Respire_ System: Portable Pulmonary Delivery Platform For Rapid, Flexible And Highly Efficient Treatment Of Elderly, Paediatric And Physically-Compromised Patients With Chronic Respiratory Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$599,142.00
Summary
The development of a low-cost miniature drug delivery platform for the treatment of chronic respiratory diseases is proposed. The portable device has already been shown to be significantly more efficient than currently available asthma inhalers. In addition, the device offers the possibility of dose adjustment to account for patient variability, such as age and disease severity, as well as a reduction in patient intervention, thus making it more appropriate for patients unable to self-medicate.
Development Of A Novel Orally Active Peptide For The Treatment Of Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$402,145.00
Summary
Chronic pain from damage to the nervous system is difficult to treat. A new type of drug has recently been developed from sea snail venom to treat chronic pain but is given by injection, which limits its use. Our research has developed a stable molecule that has analgesic activity when ingested. This proposal focuses on further testing to fully establish this molecule's therapeutic potential. This information can then attract a commercial partner to bring the new drug into general use.
Ocular Implant For The Treatment Of Bacterial Endophthalmitis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$483,446.00
Summary
We seek to develop an ocular implant for the treatment of bacterial endophthalmitis. The implant will be a small device that can be administered directly to the affected ocular cavity to release an antibiotic in a controlled manner to clear any infection. The implant will erode and leave no residue. It will be produced from a novel drug-polymer conjugate technology that allows polymer devices that comprise >50% drug to be made.
Mechanically-restricted Percutaneous Gene Therapeutic Solutions For Heart Failure.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$187,000.00
Summary
We have developed a novel system for the localized delivery of specialised genes to the heart in order to improve contractility and function of a failing heart. Many genes, for reasons of toxicity, clearance, or uptake, require direct delivery to the target region without spillover to the systemic circulation. Our system addresses these issues by isolating the local circulation of the target organ and directly delivering the agent with minimal systemic loss and improved delivery and uptake effic ....We have developed a novel system for the localized delivery of specialised genes to the heart in order to improve contractility and function of a failing heart. Many genes, for reasons of toxicity, clearance, or uptake, require direct delivery to the target region without spillover to the systemic circulation. Our system addresses these issues by isolating the local circulation of the target organ and directly delivering the agent with minimal systemic loss and improved delivery and uptake efficiency, while minimizing potentially dangerous and toxic systemic effects.Read moreRead less
Evaluation Of Factor Va From The Venom Of The Australian Brown Snake As A Topical And Systemic Anti-bleeding Agent
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$113,742.00
Summary
Anti-bleeding agents are important pharmaceuticals for use in truama, surgery and several medical conditions to reduce blood loss and the need for blood transfusion. Some Australian snakes contain in their venom a powerful blood clotting agent. This agent mimics the human clotting machinery. In this project, we plan to test purified components of snake venom for an ability to clot human blood. We will undertake laboratory test-tube experiments as well as using an animal model after ethical appro ....Anti-bleeding agents are important pharmaceuticals for use in truama, surgery and several medical conditions to reduce blood loss and the need for blood transfusion. Some Australian snakes contain in their venom a powerful blood clotting agent. This agent mimics the human clotting machinery. In this project, we plan to test purified components of snake venom for an ability to clot human blood. We will undertake laboratory test-tube experiments as well as using an animal model after ethical approval. This project seeks to capture some of the genetic blueprint of an Australian snake, for human benefit by developing a new therapeutic agent based on a venom component. If the experiments are successful, the next stage will be further testing of efficacy and toxicity before seeking approval for clinical trials. The research is supported by the Australian pharmaceutical company QRx Pharma Pty Ltd who will work with Uniquest Pty Ltd to protect intellectual property generated in the project.Read moreRead less