Injectable hydrogels for therapeutic delivery
This technology is an injectable hydrogel with high biocompatibility and low cytotoxicity that can be used for tissue engineering.
Unmet Need: Injectable, biocompatible hydrogels for therapeutic purposes
Supramolecular hydrogels, dynamic and injectable materials formed through transient, non-covalent interactions, hold promise in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However, they are often formulated with synthetic materials that lack the inherent ability to present biological signals, limiting engagement with cell and tissue processes. Efforts to introduce such bioactivity through chemical modifications face limitations in signal versatility and scalability. Therefore, there is a need for injectable biomaterials that are bioactive, biocompatible, scalable, and capable of supporting the complex biological signaling required for tissue repair and regeneration.
The Technology: Nanovesicle-based injectable hydrogels for therapeutic delivery
This technology describes an injectable supramolecular hydrogel formed by dynamic crosslinking of extracellular vesicles (EVs)- including scalable yogurt-derived EVs and artificial cell-derived mammalian and microbial vesicles (ACDVs)- and hydrophobically modified cellulose polymers. This formulation harnesses EVs not only as structural crosslinkers, but also as sources of intrinsic bioactivity. Their diverse surface signals and cargo support cell engagement, immune modulation, and tissue remodeling without additional biochemical cues. The resulting hydrogel is biocompatible, shear-thinning, and self-healing, with tunable mechanical properties. This technology offers a scalable, bioactive solution for regenerative medicine and localized therapeutic delivery, with potential applications in wound healing, immune modulation, and tissue engineering.
Applications:
- Injectable drug delivery
- Cancer therapy
- Wound healing
- Immunotherapy
- Oral drug delivery
Advantages:
- Less cytotoxic compared to existing hydrogel formulations
- Can be applied to deliver different types of therapeutics
- Potentially less immunoreactive due to the absence of synthetic materials
Lead Inventor:
Patent Information:
Patent Pending
Related Publications:
Tech Ventures Reference:
IR CU25086
Licensing Contact: Dovina Qu