Endor at the ETP Nanomedicine General Assembly & Annual Forum 2010
An important initiative, led by industry, has been set up together with the European Commission. … Read more >
By definition, the drug delivery is the method by which a drug is delivered to its site of action. For traditional agents this is another name for formulation. However, technology has allowed the development of a range of novel therapeutic-agent delivery systems, and a range of mechanisms that target a therapeutic agent to a particular cell or human tissue. In summary, delivery systems are offering benefits of improved drug absorption, reduced compliance issues, prolonged effect, and minimised side effects.
Many different initiatives are emerging matching nanotechnology with drug delivery systems. Nanotechnology provides novel strategies to control biocompatible materials at the nano-molecular scale
EDS lead program for therapeutics is an innovative delivery system for agents with great potential to be applied in oncology. EDS is an advanced delivery system for therapeutic agents both small molecules and biologicals (organic drugs, siRNA, proteins or monoclonal antibodies).
The EDS technology combines a nano-carrier based on gold nanoparticles with a ligand molecule (EL-1) that binds a protein receptor over-expressed in several solid tumors. EL-1 also protects the therapeutic agent thought a hydrophilic shell. The agent could be linked to the gold nanoparticle or encapsulated into the EL-1 shell. EDS advanced nanosystem allows an intracellular controlled release of therapeutic agents.
The EDS main benefits:
- Improve therapeutic agent efficacy.
- Reduce side effects associated to the agent.
- Enhanced pharmacokinetics
- Tumour targeting (EL-1-tumour cells).
- Agent hydrophilic in-vivo shell-protection (EL-1).
Currently, Endor is working with different FDA-EMEA approved therapeutic agents and selected tumour indications.
The safe and effective intracellular delivery of siRNA remains the most challenging barrier to the broad application of siRNA in the clinic. In order to enhance intracellular delivery, siRNA has been already chemically modified and conjugated to small organic molecules or polymeric materials.
Also, several nano-carriers have been studied for their potential as siRNA delivery candidates: cationic polymers, lipids or lipid-like materials, iron oxide nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles and semiconductor nanocrystals.
In summary, formulations based on EDS could facilitate high levels of siRNA delivery, improving commercially available lipid reagent.
Endor is interested in partnering with a siRNA therapeutics company in order to study intracellular delivery of siRNA via EDS.