Nanotechnology Advances in Drug Delivery

1
Nanotechnology Advances in Drug
Delivery

• Susan DesJardin
• Based on June 2007 Article in Pharmaceutical
  Technology Magazine

2
NanoCrystal Technology Elan Corp., Dublin,
Ireland

• Improves the delivery of drugs with low water
  solubility by using a proprietary wet-milling
  process to form nanometer size particles followed
  by surface absorption of select stabilizers to
  prevent agglomeration.

3
FDA-Approved NanoCrystal Technology Products

• Wyeths Rapamune (sirolimus) immuno-suppressive
  agent
• Mercks Emend (aprepitant) antiemetic (prevents
  nausea in cancer therapy)
• Abbott Labs Tricor (fenofibrate) reduce LDL
  cholesterol and total triglycerides
• Par Pharmaceuticals Megace ES (megestrol)
  anorexia and weight loss in AIDS patients

4
Nanoedge Technology Baxter Healthcare

• The particle size is reduced to nanometer size
  to increase the surface area, thereby, increasing
  the rate of dissolution by using two
  complementary processes, homogenization and
  precipitation.

5
BioSilicon TechnologypSivida (Australia)

• Elemental silicon processed to create a honeycomb
  structure of pores of various shapes and sizes
  that can be filled with drugs.
• This technology is targeted for drugs with low
  water solubility and controlled, slow release
  drugs.
• BrachySil (Phase II trials) delivers radioactive
  agents directly to tumors via inhalation.

6
Cyclosert TechnologyInsert Therapeutics

• Nano-engineered linear cyclodextrin- containing
  polymer
• Targeted for the delivery of small molecules and
  nucleic acids
• Licensed to RD Biopharmaceuticals GmbH (Germany)
  for anti-cancer agent tubulysin A

7
Nanotechnology Development in Academia

• Princeton Univ. Flash Nano-Precipitation
  process for mixing drugs and binder materials to
  create nanosize particles targeted for
  inhalation drugs
• Univ of Penn. 20 nm dia. cylinders deliver the
  anticancer drug paclitaxel to tumors in mice,
  cylinders stay in the circulatory system for up
  to one week

8
Regulatory Perspective

• National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI)
  coordinates the multi-agency efforts in
  nanoscience including FDA and 22 other federal
  agencies
• FDA has formed a NanoTechnology Interest Group
  made up representatives of all its agencies
• FDA launched the Nanotechnology Task Force in
  2006 to facilitate the safe and effective use of
  nanoengineered materials in FDA-regulated
  products.

9
National Cancer Institute

• Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer was formed
  in 2005 including both the public and private
  sector to accelerate the application of
  nanotechnology to cancer treatment.
• Under the nano-subcommittee of the Interagency
  Oncology Task Force FDA, NCI and NIST are
  working together to advance nanotechnology for
  oncology.