New Technique Promises to Improve Drug Delivery and Reduce Injections for Cancer and HIV Patients

New Technique Promises to Improve Drug Delivery and Reduce Injections for Cancer and HIV Patients

(IN BRIEF) Professor Remco Tuinier and his team at Eindhoven University of Technology have developed a new method to slow the release of protein-based drugs, addressing the challenge of rapid dispersion in the body. By using polyethylene glycol (PEG) and a rapid freezing process, they can form stable protein aggregates that allow for controlled, slower drug release. This innovation, which could reduce the frequency of drug administration for treatments like cancer and HIV, is being further developed in collaboration with DSM Biomedical. Tuinier expects the method to be applied in the pharmaceutical industry within a few years.

(PRESS RELEASE) EINDHOVEN, 9-Aug-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), led by Professor Remco Tuinier, have made significant strides in improving the delivery of protein-based drugs, which are widely used in treating cancer, HIV, and other serious diseases. A common challenge with these therapies is the rapid release of the proteins, necessitating frequent doses to maintain their effectiveness. To address this, Tuinier’s team has developed an innovative method that allows for a slower, more controlled release of these therapeutic proteins.

The new approach involves using polyethylene glycol (PEG) to induce the formation of stable protein aggregates, which are then solidified through a rapid freezing process. This technique prevents the proteins from dispersing too quickly in the body, thereby extending their therapeutic effect and potentially reducing the need for frequent injections.

The breakthrough was made in collaboration with DSM Biomedical, a global leader in biopharmaceutical materials. The method is versatile and can be adapted to different proteins with varying sizes and charges, making it broadly applicable across various treatments.

This innovation could revolutionize how protein-based drugs are administered, particularly for patients undergoing treatments that require precise and sustained drug release. With the polymers used in this method already approved for similar applications, Tuinier anticipates that the first drugs utilizing this technology could reach the market within a few years.

This development marks a significant step forward in the field of drug delivery, offering new hope for patients who rely on protein-based therapies.

Media Contact:

Frans Raaijmakers
Science Information Officer
+31 40-247 4101
h.a.raaijmakers@tue.nl

SOURCE: TU/e