This proof of concept (PoC) project (acronym: OAlipotherapy) was concerned with extending the recent discovery in the PI’s group of liposomes that are stabilized with a unique (patent-protected) polymer moiety. Such liposomes are closely related to the topic of the main ERC project, CartiLube, with which this PoC is associated, as they have very long retention time in joints when injected intra-articularly, which is a main concern of the ERC project. Several aspects of the aims of OAlipotherapy were advanced as part of this project in its several workpackages. These included a pre-commercialization study, and activities aimed at identifying potential partners, networking, disseminating of information concerning the innovation, and identifying and meeting with potential customers and investors. The heart of the project was the proof of concept itself, which was successfully carried out and extended a patent application (‘LIPOSOMIC DRUG-DELIVERY VEHICLES’) forming part of the basis of the project. The data collected is being used to refine a business model, and in particular to feed in to a new start-up company based on the existing and new IP generated and the precommercialization study. This company has just recently been established and has been licensed to it by YEDA, the Weizmann Institutes technology transfer company, in part as a result of this PoC project. Success of this should have broad economic as well as societal benefits: on the one hand in creating new technologies based on the IP associated with this project, and on the other hand in widespread alleviation of a major health problem (suffering due to joint diseases including osteoarthritis, by having longer-retained and hence more efficient drug-delivery vehicles to the suffering joints) through application of these new technologies.
