The Need

Traumatic brain and spinal cord injury cause devastating neurological deficits and long-term disability due to detrimental structural and functional alteration in neuronal circuits. Treatment of brain injury and neurological disorders has traditionally been challenging due to the inability to deliver medicines into neural tissues. While many have attempted to develop novel delivery methods, most of these technologies have failed clinical trials.

The Technology

This technology is a Smart Drug Delivery System (SDDS) that counteracts maladaptive plasticity and chronic neurodegeneration in vivo following traumatic brain and spinal cord injury. The SDDS is comprised of polymer-based electro-sprayed injectable microspheres that encapsulate the FDA-approved drug gabapentin and allow for localized drug delivery.

Shown in vivo, following injection in mice at the site of an induced spinal cord deficit, medication-loaded particle suspension induces much faster and more complete restoration of neurological function (e.g., skilled walking) both days and weeks after injury, accompanied by the absence of post-injury pain or painful sensitivity.

Commercial Applications

● Counteract maladaptive changes and decrease long-term pain associated with traumatic brain and spinal cord injury

● Can be used to treat neuropath pain in diabetic extremities or caused by herpes virus

● Could be used to control epileptic seizures

● Application would involve development of standard injectable doses that could be stored indefinitely at 4°C

Benefits

● Localized administration avoids undesirable side effects, including dizziness, drowsiness, depression/anxiety, and water retention associated with systemic administration of gabapentinoids

● Eliminates need for subsequent medical involvement or patient compliance

● Removes potential for drug abuse due to tranquilizing effect

● Increases clinical effectiveness

● Provides controlled release kinetics and avoids burst release due to small size, narrow size distribution, and the polymer shell

Patents

Patent Pending: WO2022165352A1

Publications

manufacturing conditions to produce particles: Injectable, dispersible polysulfone-polysulfone core-shell particles for optical oxygen sensing