Periodic Reporting for period 1 - TriboCharge (Targeted Respiratory Drug Delivery by Tribo Charged Sprays)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2024-01-01 do 2025-06-30
The TriboCharge project aimed to develop a revolutionary handheld nebulizer using tribo-electro-kinetic technology to achieve precise, targeted delivery of drugs to specific regions of the respiratory tract. The core innovation relies on electrically charging droplets through friction with the nozzle material, causing mutual repulsion that prevents coalescence and creates uniform droplet sizes (5-25 μm) for optimal deposition. This breakthrough addresses the critical limitation of existing nebulizers that produce polydisperse droplets due to uncontrolled coalescence, making precise targeting impossible. The project specifically validated this technology using Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins (LMWHs) as a prophylactic against SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses, demonstrating enhanced nasal and pulmonary coverage compared to conventional spray devices while maintaining drug integrity through gentle, low-energy nebulization.
The TriboCharge project successfully validated the core tribo-electrostatic mechanism and achieved significant technical milestones that directly enabled the TriboPuff EIC Transition proposal. Key achievements include experimental demonstration that tribo-charged nozzles generate stable, monodisperse droplets (8-20 μm) with reproducible electrostatic charge, achieving 25-35% higher deposition uniformity compared to commercial pump-driven sprays and over 40% improvement versus mesh-based devices in anatomically realistic nasal models. The team developed nanofabrication methods for silicon nitride membrane nozzles with sub-micron geometric control, validated LMWH formulation compatibility without drug degradation, and created a functional handheld prototype requiring no external power source. Clinical validation preparation included ex vivo testing with nasal epithelial cells, establishing safety profiles for human studies. The project secured industrial partnerships with Resyca BV and Amsterdam UMC, filed patent applications and developed comprehensive technology transfer documentation.
he TriboCharge project demonstrated that tribo-electrostatic charging can improve nasal drug deposition uniformity compared to conventional spray devices by addressing the fundamental problem of droplet coalescence. The technology operates without external power sources and maintains drug integrity across different formulations, including sensitive biologics like LMWHs. Key development needs for commercial success include completing clinical validation studies, securing medical device certification under MDR regulations, establishing manufacturing partnerships with GMP-compliant facilities, and strengthening the patent portfolio. The approach targets opportunities in the existing nasal drug delivery market, requiring further demonstration of dose reproducibility, charge stability over device lifetime, and integration with pharmaceutical manufacturing standards.