Final Report Summary - PANOPTES (Peptide-based Nanoparticles as Ocular Drug Delivery Vehicles)
• 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.