Improving corneal permeability of dexamethasone using penetration enhancing agents: first step towards achieving topical drug delivery to the retina​​

Summary: To date, ocular injections and implants are the most effective methods for drug delivery to the back of the eye. However, invasive delivery methods also are costly and risky due to possible complications. In this paper, a novel proprietary polyacetylene polymer and two cell penetrating peptides are compared for topical drug delivery to treat retinal diseases.

Experimentica’s Chief Operating Officer Dr. Jenni J. Hakkarainen, has been a member of a supervisory committee of ORBITAL graduate Dr. Abhinav Thareja, who recently published a scientific paper on the use of a novel penetration enhancing agent. The described drug delivery technology could be potentially used in clinics to achieve a significantly higher intraocular therapeutic bioavailability after topical eye drop administration than currently afforded.

Ocular Research By Integrated Training And Learning – ORBITAL

Experimentica has been a partner in an intersectoral network ORBITAL of European and global experts, from academic, clinical and industrial sectors. ORBITAL is consortium with extensive experience in generating innovative technologies and training new researchers for tackling the challenges of posterior segment diseases of the eye, such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. ORBITAL was funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (grant agreement – No 813440).

Authors:  Abhinav Thareja | Thomas Leigh | Jenni J. Hakkarainen | Helen Hughes | Carmen Alvarez-Lorenzo | Francisco Fernandez-Trillo | Richard J. Blanch | Zubair Ahmed

Keywords: Cornea, Permeability, Topical eye drops