nir-vana innovation network

The Ukrainian University has developed the new technologies use polymer nanoparticles, as localized delivery systems, tend to minimize the negative effects of chemotherapy on healthy cells (target delivery of toxins precisely in tumor cells). Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a modern, non-invasive cancer treatment method based on the injection of non-toxic dye-photosensitizer (PS), which should be selectively accumulated in tumor tissue. Irradiation of the tumor with light at the absorption wavelength of the PS leads to production of reactive forms of oxygen (eg, singlet oxygen) that destroy the cells. PDT have several disadvantages: superficial effect due to the limited penetration of visible and near infrared light into the tissue; insufficient selectivity of accumulation of PS in the tumor; low water solubility of most of the PS and self-destruction of the PS at irradiated with light. The light sensitivity by photosensitizer can be improved by plasmon strengthening of photophysical processes, namely, the absorption of light by PS and by the transfer of excitation energy from PS to molecular oxygen. A promising approach to improve the efficiency of PDT is: (1) use of polymeric nanocarrier macromolecules, (2) metallic nanoparticles (MeNPs), and (3) new photosensitizers. The aim and tasks of this Project is based on results obtained from study of the physico-chemical characteristics of nanocarriers for antitumor drugs, photosensitizers and nanosystems with the incorporated metal nanoparticles. The University is working on the synthesis and study multicomponent nanosystems for understanding the processes that occur during their formation and to develop the scientific basis for the design of effective nanosystems for chemo and photodynamic antitumor therapy. The University has patented a method for the synthesis of resistant nanosystems in branched polymer matrices. Polymers-nanocarriers will be loaded with highly toxic drugs for chemotherapy (cisplatin and doxorubicin), then nanocomposites containing gold nanoparticles and photosensitizer of porphyrin series will be added. Creating a multicomponent hybrid system should improve the pharmacokinetics and photosensitizer properties of the nanocomposite. The University will focus on the comprehensive study of nanocomposites by optical and structural methods. Hybrid multicomponent nanosystems are complicated object. Prediction of their behavior at changing their composition, temperature, pH is important for succesful nanocomposites biomedical use. Even a small aggregation occurs in nanosystem or even only a change in the size of metal nanoparticles incorporated into a polymer matrix can lead to a complete loss of nanosystem efficiency and make it inefficient to use for chemo and PDT. It has been studied dextran-polyacrylamide matrices as nanocarrier for biomedical applications. Its efficiency for chemo-PDT has been shown. Recently, UA scientists began to work on the synthesis of branched copolymers Dextran-Poly-N-isopropyl acrylamide and the possibility to create nanocomposites into these matrices for antitumor therapy.
Partners are sought to participate with the finalisation of the pre-clinical and/or clinical trials. Most suitable partners are already involved in biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry or are investors.
The types of cooperation preferred are as:
- joint venture for the finalisation of the pre-clinical trials and/or phase-1 clinical trials;
- license agreement to implement the proposed technology;
- research cooperation agreement for the finalisation of the pre-clinical trials and/or phase-1 clinical trials.

Advantages & innovations

A number of drugs exhibit major harmful side effects or are inefficient because of low bioavailability. This invention solves the problem by safely and accurately delivering the drug to its target site. Drug toxicity is reduced using a polymer-based delivery system. The drug is guided directly to the tumour tissue using liposomes with bound inhibitors of cathepsins, which are characteristically secreted by tumour cells. Using targeted delivery, therapy is made more efficient, thereby reducing the required dosage for the same effect, which leads to reduced treatment costs. The proposed nanosystems was tested in-vitro and in-vivo and demonstrated their high efficiency. Also, proposed nanosystems can be use for complex chemo- and photodynamic therapy.

Stage of development

Concept stage

Partner sought

Industry partners or investor active in the fields of biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, with option of own manufacturing capacities are sought for the finalization of the pre-clinical and clinical trials in case of medicinal implementation of the offered technology. In case of a - joint venture agreement the partner is expected to offer knowledge and financing, - license agreement the partner is expected to purchase rights for the use of the patent-protected solution - research cooperation agreement with partners with relevant know-how, the capacity, and accreditation to carry out pre-clinical studies and/ or scale-up the manufacturing to the industrial scale.