Columbia Technology Ventures

Nanofibrous scaffold for controlled release of small molecule immunomodulators

This technology is an engineered immunomodulatory biomaterial for controlled, localized release of IKKb Inhibitor VIII, synonymously, ACHP, a small molecule inhibitor targeting NF-kB-dependent signaling.

Unmet Need: Targeted drug delivery strategies for NF-kB immunomodulators

Inhibition of the NF-kB signaling pathway is an attractive therapeutic target for various diseases and disorders involving immunity and inflammation, including autoimmune diseases, infections, stroke, diabetes, musculoskeletal injuries, arthofibrosis, and cancer. However, due to the ubiquitous nature of NF-kB, current inhibition strategies lack specificity and can result in adverse side effects when delivered systemically. There is a need for a more targeted drug delivery approach that will enable controlled, localized release of NF-kB immunomodulators as a therapeutic strategy for these diseases without off-target effects.

The Technology: Nanofibrous biomaterial for controlled, localized release of ACHP hydrochloride

This technology is an engineered nanofibrous biomaterial platform for controlled, localized release of ACHP, a potent and selective small-molecule IKKb inhibitor targeting NF-kB-dependent signaling. ACHP is incorporated into the electrospun nanofibers, which enables localized release of the drug. In contrast to other nanofibrous drug-eluting platforms, the biphasic nature of the material regulates the initial burst release of the drug, enabling controlled release. This immunomodulatory material provides an improved drug delivery mechanism for inhibiting NF-kB inflammatory signaling while avoiding systemic off-target effects and can potentially be used to treat a wide range of diseases and disorders involving inflammation.

This technology has been validated in vitro.

Applications:

  • Treatment for cancer
  • Treatment for fibrotic diseases
  • Treatment for inflammatory disease
  • Treatment for scar-filled musculoskeletal injuries and repair sites
  • Treatment for arthofibrotic knees
  • Assay for quantifying drug incorporation and release from biomaterials

Advantages:

  • Targeted, localized drug delivery avoids off-target effects
  • Regulates initial burst release of the drug, enabling controlled drug delivery
  • 3D structure provides physical cues to cells at repair site to further promote healing

Lead Inventor:

Helen H. Lu, Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Pending

Related Publications:

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