Final Report Summary - PANOPTES (Peptide-based Nanoparticles as Ocular Drug Delivery Vehicles)
This report describes the progress and achievements of the FP7 project “Peptide-based Nanoparticles as Ocular Drug Delivery Vehicles” (PANOPTES). The 4 year project was conducted by 7 research groups in 6 institutions from 5 different European countries. The aim of the project was to produce peptide-based micro- and nanomaterials through self-assembly processes. These were to be employed as ocular drug delivery vehicles to give sustained delivery of drug molecules to the posterior segment of the eye (Figure 1). The original objectives of the project were achieved and several new successful drug delivery vehicles were established. The main achievements are as follows:
• Four different peptide-based materials platforms were successfully developed: self-assembling polypeptides; stimulus responsive elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs); polyesteramides (PEAs); and polyester-oxazoline block copolymers.
• The assembly of these polymers into a variety of micro- and nanostructures, including micelles, vesicles, nanoparticles, nanocapsules and microparticles, was achieved.
• The loading and release of various ocular drugs into these micro- and nanostructures was demonstrated.
• Extensive in vitro and ex vivo testing of the biocompatibility of the materials prepared, with and without loaded drugs, was conducted.
• Kinetic ocular modeling was undertaken to predict concentrations of drugs, delivery vehicle components and their breakdown products, in different compartments of the eye, following administration.
• In vivo assays of drug delivery vehicle biocompatibility and impact on retinal function were performed.
• The reproducibility of the processes for manufacturing the drug delivery vehicles was demonstrated.
• Extensive dissemination of the results of the project, to academia, industry and the general public, was undertaken.
• Significant numbers of researchers and samples were exchanged between the consortium partners.
• Four different peptide-based materials platforms were successfully developed: self-assembling polypeptides; stimulus responsive elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs); polyesteramides (PEAs); and polyester-oxazoline block copolymers.
• The assembly of these polymers into a variety of micro- and nanostructures, including micelles, vesicles, nanoparticles, nanocapsules and microparticles, was achieved.
• The loading and release of various ocular drugs into these micro- and nanostructures was demonstrated.
• Extensive in vitro and ex vivo testing of the biocompatibility of the materials prepared, with and without loaded drugs, was conducted.
• Kinetic ocular modeling was undertaken to predict concentrations of drugs, delivery vehicle components and their breakdown products, in different compartments of the eye, following administration.
• In vivo assays of drug delivery vehicle biocompatibility and impact on retinal function were performed.
• The reproducibility of the processes for manufacturing the drug delivery vehicles was demonstrated.
• Extensive dissemination of the results of the project, to academia, industry and the general public, was undertaken.
• Significant numbers of researchers and samples were exchanged between the consortium partners.