Targeting particulate carriers to epithelial M cells. This project aims to develop and validate an advanced in vitro model of the human intestinal epithelium. The intestine-on-chip model should enable mechanistic studies of the uptake of nano- and micron-size particles by intestinal cells and deliver new insights into the way particulate carriers can be specifically targeted and transported across the intestinal epithelium. Project knowledge and technology are anticipated to generate new commerc ....Targeting particulate carriers to epithelial M cells. This project aims to develop and validate an advanced in vitro model of the human intestinal epithelium. The intestine-on-chip model should enable mechanistic studies of the uptake of nano- and micron-size particles by intestinal cells and deliver new insights into the way particulate carriers can be specifically targeted and transported across the intestinal epithelium. Project knowledge and technology are anticipated to generate new commercialisation opportunities in the oral delivery industry and ultimately, should drive the development of efficient oral formulations for biologics. The model should also reduce the need for animal studies.Read moreRead less
Oral Insulin Delivery facilitated by Enteric Coating using Dense Gas Technologies. Insulin dependant diabetes is a rapidly growing disease. The current method for insulin delivery to the patient is by injection, which is inconvenient. Oral delivery of insulin is a more acceptable method. It is proposed to develop a dense gas technique to coat insulin with a pH sensitive polymer to protect it from the acidic environment of the stomach. Insulin can then be released at the high pH of the intestin ....Oral Insulin Delivery facilitated by Enteric Coating using Dense Gas Technologies. Insulin dependant diabetes is a rapidly growing disease. The current method for insulin delivery to the patient is by injection, which is inconvenient. Oral delivery of insulin is a more acceptable method. It is proposed to develop a dense gas technique to coat insulin with a pH sensitive polymer to protect it from the acidic environment of the stomach. Insulin can then be released at the high pH of the intestine when the polymer is dissolved. Particle size control is feasible by dense gas processes by manipulating operating parameters. Advantages include low residual solvent and manufacture at ambient temperatures.Read moreRead less
Novel nano-composite particles for controlled-release drugs via inhalation. This project will explore a novel nano-medicine technology using nanocrystals in liposomes to design new composite particles to enable optimal release of antibiotics delivered by inhalation. Respiratory infection caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria is a major health problem worldwide. Controlled-release products using liposomes simplify dose regimen and enhance bacterial killing. Currently, aerosolised liposomes are l ....Novel nano-composite particles for controlled-release drugs via inhalation. This project will explore a novel nano-medicine technology using nanocrystals in liposomes to design new composite particles to enable optimal release of antibiotics delivered by inhalation. Respiratory infection caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria is a major health problem worldwide. Controlled-release products using liposomes simplify dose regimen and enhance bacterial killing. Currently, aerosolised liposomes are limited to liquid forms with limited control over release and stability. The project will provide new technology on manufacturing composite powders of antibiotics that may ultimately lead to the development of effective new treatments against drug-resistant bacteria.Read moreRead less
Mannitol Powders for Assessment of Asthma in Children. A successful conclusion of this project will enable Australia to become a world leader in childhood asthma assessment. The availability of an objective diagnostic test for early detection of asthma would assist formulating early treatment strategies at this crucial stage in the progression of the disease, improving the quality of life of asthma sufferers in their early years. The Australian pharmaceutical sector will benefit through the ab ....Mannitol Powders for Assessment of Asthma in Children. A successful conclusion of this project will enable Australia to become a world leader in childhood asthma assessment. The availability of an objective diagnostic test for early detection of asthma would assist formulating early treatment strategies at this crucial stage in the progression of the disease, improving the quality of life of asthma sufferers in their early years. The Australian pharmaceutical sector will benefit through the ability to develop proprietary formulations targeted towards taking advantages of the scientific knowledge on pharmaceutical powders and aerosols. The mannitol testing is environmental friendly as powder aerosol delivery does not require any harmful organic solvents to operate.Read moreRead less
Engineering a delivery device and development of a novel formulation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis. This project will position Australia to become one of the world leaders in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis (CF) and other chronic respiratory diseases. The financial burdens of COPD and CF come to at least $900 million a year in Australia alone. These diseases have significant impact on patients and the health system th ....Engineering a delivery device and development of a novel formulation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis. This project will position Australia to become one of the world leaders in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis (CF) and other chronic respiratory diseases. The financial burdens of COPD and CF come to at least $900 million a year in Australia alone. These diseases have significant impact on patients and the health system through regular clinical visits, hospitalisation and employment downtime. The global market for the treatment of COPD is currently more than $8 billion and is expected to increase substantially. The positioning of an Australian pharmaceutical company at the forefront of COPD/CF treatment will have significant national benefits for patients, the health system, and research infrastructure in the field.Read moreRead less
Metal-Based Anti-inflammatory Drugs with High Efficacy and Low Side-Effects. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have widespread human and veterinary applications for the treatment of arthritis and other inflammatory diseases, but their utility is limited by often severe gastrointestinal, renal and cardiac side-effects. The recently heralded COX-2 inhibitors have not lived up to their expectations in terms of efficacy and side-effects, therefore, there is a need to develop new potent ....Metal-Based Anti-inflammatory Drugs with High Efficacy and Low Side-Effects. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have widespread human and veterinary applications for the treatment of arthritis and other inflammatory diseases, but their utility is limited by often severe gastrointestinal, renal and cardiac side-effects. The recently heralded COX-2 inhibitors have not lived up to their expectations in terms of efficacy and side-effects, therefore, there is a need to develop new potent, but safer, NSAIDs. This project is aimed at using the results from new lead compounds to design NSAIDs with much greater efficacy and much less side effects than those currently available.Read moreRead less
High-load powder dispersion and aerosol delivery: an integrated approach. This project aims to develop a novel design toolbox that can accurately predict dispersion performance of a range of powder systems for high-dose inhaler devices. The project expects to provide the pharmaceutical industry with a cornerstone technology to facilitate the design and optimisation of new powder delivery devices. Outcomes are expected to include new knowledge on powder dispersion behaviour that can be applied to ....High-load powder dispersion and aerosol delivery: an integrated approach. This project aims to develop a novel design toolbox that can accurately predict dispersion performance of a range of powder systems for high-dose inhaler devices. The project expects to provide the pharmaceutical industry with a cornerstone technology to facilitate the design and optimisation of new powder delivery devices. Outcomes are expected to include new knowledge on powder dispersion behaviour that can be applied to various industry sectors, including the environmental, bulk chemical and food industries where the majority of products are in powder form. This knowledge will provide significant benefits to industry through provision of a toolkit that can be used to improve final powder-based product quality.Read moreRead less
Engineering pressurized liquid droplets to generate high-efficiency aerosols for targeted respiratory delivery. Many macroscopic aspects of pressurised Metered Dose Inhaler (pMDI) for respiratory diseases are recognised, but are yet to be understood at the basic level and accordingly exploited. In particular, the droplet charge mechanism in non-aqueous pMDIs remains elusive. Currently, although a wide range of drugs are commercially available as pMDIs, the efficiency of these systems is poor, wi ....Engineering pressurized liquid droplets to generate high-efficiency aerosols for targeted respiratory delivery. Many macroscopic aspects of pressurised Metered Dose Inhaler (pMDI) for respiratory diseases are recognised, but are yet to be understood at the basic level and accordingly exploited. In particular, the droplet charge mechanism in non-aqueous pMDIs remains elusive. Currently, although a wide range of drugs are commercially available as pMDIs, the efficiency of these systems is poor, with most devices delivering less than 20 per cent to the lung. An insight into these systems is crucial to successfully enhance the performance of aerosol formulations in industry, ultimately translating into superior patient therapy. This project will create a theoretical model for pMDI formulation that can be applied to the development of a new generation of inhalation medicines.Read moreRead less
Advanced nanotechnologies for targeting biofilms. Advanced nanotechnologies for targeting biofilms. This project aims to develop nano-particulate systems based on a single platform technology that can be delivered as an aerosol. The current lack of a suitable formulation and delivery system hinders the eradication of fungal and bacterial biofilms from surfaces. These new systems will have enhanced residency time, penetration properties and effectiveness in biofilms. This project intends to under ....Advanced nanotechnologies for targeting biofilms. Advanced nanotechnologies for targeting biofilms. This project aims to develop nano-particulate systems based on a single platform technology that can be delivered as an aerosol. The current lack of a suitable formulation and delivery system hinders the eradication of fungal and bacterial biofilms from surfaces. These new systems will have enhanced residency time, penetration properties and effectiveness in biofilms. This project intends to understand the properties that govern the formation and interactions in these systems, and develop in-vitro tools that the wider scientific community can use. The project expects to generate a single platform that can be used for the eradication of biofilms in numerous applications, from healthcare to agriculture.Read moreRead less
A novel approach for the real-time measurement of aerosol surface area. This project aims to develop an innovative optical tomography technology capable of direct and real-time measurement of the surface area of airborne particles. By coupling advanced laser diagnostic tools with physiological models and in vitro characterisation techniques, this project will determine the hitherto unknown fundamental and critical relationships between the surface area of an aerosol and its dissolution when deli ....A novel approach for the real-time measurement of aerosol surface area. This project aims to develop an innovative optical tomography technology capable of direct and real-time measurement of the surface area of airborne particles. By coupling advanced laser diagnostic tools with physiological models and in vitro characterisation techniques, this project will determine the hitherto unknown fundamental and critical relationships between the surface area of an aerosol and its dissolution when delivered to a target. The Project’s outcomes will enable aerosol device manufacturers to develop and market significantly more advanced and highly specific products, thus conferring a competitive advantage.Read moreRead less