Multifunctional Platform Technology for Magnetically Actuated Controlled Drug Release from Biodegradable Scaffolds

Project Information

MAD Control

Grant agreement ID: 101076174

DOI

10.3030/101076174

EC signature date 13 February 2023

Start date 1 January 2024

End date 31 December 2028

Funded under

• European Research Council (ERC)

Total cost

€ 1 495 288,00

EU contribution

€ 1 495 288,00

Coordinated by

HELMUT SCHMIDT UNIVERSITAT UNIVERSITAT DER BUNDESWEHR HAMBURG
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MAD Control (Multifunctional Platform Technology for Magnetically Actuated Controlled Drug Release from Biodegradable Scaffolds)

Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2026-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Biodegradable medical devices that release drugs and then safely disappear could greatly improve treatments in areas like heart disease, cancer, and tissue repair. These devices are meant to deliver the right amount of medicine exactly where and when it is needed. A well known example is a biodegradable vascular scaffold, i.e. fibre-based tubular structure, which opens a blocked artery, releases a drug, and then breaks down into harmless components.
However, current biodegradable devices have a major limitation: once implanted, their drug release behaviour cannot be changed. As the material degrades inside the body, its properties change in ways we cannot monitor or control. This can lead to drugs being released too early, too late, or in the wrong amount.
MAD Control aims to solve this problem by creating a new type of biodegradable scaffold that can be monitored and controlled from outside the body. The idea is to combine smart materials, magnetic nanoparticles, real time imaging, and predictive computer models to achieve image-guidance of drug release inside the body.
For this, imaging data with models that predict how the scaffold is degrading are linked to determine the best moment and the best way to activate drug release. The magnetic nanoparticles inside the scaffold act as sensors for Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) to monitor the degradation inside the body and as actuators for magnetic hyperthermia (MH), which can trigger drug release through heat. These capabilities are combined in one device. For the development of prediction models, an automated measurement system continuously tracks how the material behaves under realistic conditions, and this information feeds into control algorithms that are used for image-guidance of drug release.
The result is a new theranostic platform that can release drugs on demand and monitor the scaffold’s condition at the same time. After extensive laboratory testing, the approach will be validated in a coronary stent model. This work opens the door to a new generation of biodegradable, personalized medical implants.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

So far, the main achievements are:
• Creation of smart biodegradable fibres and improvement of manufacturing quality:
Two types of magnetic nanoparticle based fibres were developed for controlled drug release and heat responsive degradation. Special production systems were built to create core-shell and layered fibres with stable and uniform structures.
While stable fibres were produced, some processing limits were identified that can cause uneven layers. Solutions were defined, such as using materials with better bonding and more precise equipment to ensure consistent fibre quality.
All fibre types were tested with different cell lines and showed good tolerability, an important step toward medical use.
• Development of an advanced testing system:
An automated setup was created to measure drug release, degradation, and mechanical properties under conditions similar to the human body. This system provides continuous data for modelling and control. A machine-leaning algorithm which enables the prediction of material properties was created and tested for size prediction of magnetic nanoparticles. This setup and the algorithm will be further developed towards the prediction of drug release.
• Predictive computer models:
The collected data were used to build models that predict how the implant behaves inside the body. Simulations showed that the structure of the magnetic nanoparticles strongly affects both heating and MPI signals.
• Image guided control demonstrated:
Experiments and simulations confirmed that MPI can distinguish different states of the nanoparticles and track how the fibres degrade with heat. This means the implant’s condition can be monitored while drug release is controlled through magnetic activation.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The project’s results establish a strong foundation for smart, image‑guided drug‑delivery implants. Biodegradable magnetic scaffolds with controlled drug release and heat‑responsive degradation, supported by improved manufacturing, automated testing, and early machine‑learning models, point toward adaptive implants that can be monitored and adjusted in vivo. Predictive simulations further clarify how nanoparticle structure governs heating and MPI visibility, strengthening the pathway toward precise, minimally invasive therapies.
To enable broader uptake, several conditions must be addressed. Continued research is needed to refine fibre uniformity, extend predictive algorithms to drug‑release kinetics, and confirm long‑term biocompatibility. Key demonstration steps include in vivo validation and pilot‑scale production to prove reliability and scalability. Regulatory preparation is essential, as the technology will fall under drug‑device combination rules and require standardised testing for magnetic heating, MPI tracking, and degradation behaviour. Commercial progress will depend on identifying suitable clinical entry points, forming partnerships with imaging and medical‑device companies, and demonstrating clear health‑economic benefits. Strong IPR protection and targeted access to finance for translational research and regulatory approval will support competitiveness.