Lipid Nanoparticles methods, characteristics and applications in drug delivery

Summary

The speaker discusses the evolution of their company since 2002, focusing on nanomedicine and solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs). They highlight the company's expertise in formulation and collaboration on various European projects, emphasizing the importance of surface modification for targeted drug delivery. The talk covers the development of SLNs from first to third generation, touching on applications in cancer treatment, ocular delivery, and nucleic acid delivery. Challenges in regulatory approval and the potential of nanotechnology in treating diseases like retinitis pigmentosa are also discussed.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker's company was established in 2002 and specializes in drug delivery systems, focusing on solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanoemulsions.
• 🔬 The company's expertise lies in formulation and physical-chemical characterization, with no in-house biological characterization facilities.
• 🏥 They have been involved in numerous European projects since the early 2000s, contributing to the field of nanotechnology in pharmaceuticals.
• 📈 There has been a significant shift in the pharmaceutical industry's attitude towards nanomedicine, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic accelerating the approval of liposomal and lipid nanoparticles.
• 🧪 The speaker's team has worked on various projects, including surface modification for targeted drug delivery, risk assessment, and safe-by-design approaches.
• 💊 They have developed different generations of SLN, with the third generation focusing on lipid-drug conjugates and complex lipid mixtures.
• 🔬 The company uses techniques like size exclusion chromatography to understand the composition of their nanocarriers and ensure quality.
• 🧬 They have explored applications in ocular delivery, with a focus on retinitis pigmentosa, and have tested the delivery of nucleic acids for therapeutic purposes.
• 🧪 The speaker discussed the challenges of regulatory approval and GMP development for nanoformulations, emphasizing the need for careful risk assessment.
• 🌐 The company is now focusing on developing products closer to market and providing formulation skills and physical-chemical characterization services to researchers.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the speaker's company?

The speaker's company is a formulation company specializing in micro, motion solid lipid nanoparticles, lipids, and nano emulsion. They focus on exploiting their knowledge in drug delivery.

What is the significance of the year 2002 for the speaker's company?

2002 is significant because that's when the speaker's company was established, marking the beginning of their journey in the field of nanomedicine.

What challenges does the speaker highlight in the field of nanomedicine?

The speaker highlights that while nanomedicine is very promising, it also presents great challenges, especially in terms of regulatory approval and the development of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) processes.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the approval of liposomal or lipid nanoparticles?

The speaker mentions that the COVID-19 pandemic has helped in the approval of liposomal or lipid nanoparticles, suggesting that the urgency and focus on health during the pandemic may have expedited processes that were previously difficult.

What is the difference between liposomes and solid lipid nanoparticles as described in the script?

The main difference between liposomes and solid lipid nanoparticles lies in their core. Liposomes have an aqueous core that is more flexible, while solid lipid nanoparticles have a more rigid and consistent core.

What role did the speaker's company play in the early 2000s regarding nanotechnology?

In the early 2000s, the speaker's company played a significant role in promoting nanotechnology, particularly in overcoming skepticism from pharmaceutical companies and securing funding through various projects.

What is the importance of surface modification in the context of the speaker's work?

Surface modification is crucial in the speaker's work as it allows for specific targeting, barrier overcoming, and the concurrent logic of drug and diagnostic agent delivery, which is essential for effective drug delivery systems.

What is the significance of the third generation of solid lipid nanoparticles mentioned in the script?

The third generation of solid lipid nanoparticles signifies an advancement where the core is less rigid and more amorphous, allowing for better drug loading and potentially improved stability.

How does the speaker describe the process of creating solid lipid nanoparticles?

The speaker describes the process of creating solid lipid nanoparticles by melting lipids, preparing a surfactant in water, warming both phases, mixing them, and allowing the formation to occur spontaneously, followed by cooling and dispersion.

What is the role of size exclusion chromatography in the characterization of nanoparticles as per the script?

Size exclusion chromatography plays a vital role in understanding the real composition of the carrier, especially in systems with surfactants, as it helps to identify the presence of micelles and different natures of particles.

What are some of the applications of nanotechnology in drug delivery discussed in the script?

The script discusses various applications of nanotechnology in drug delivery, including targeted drug delivery, overcoming biological barriers, and the development of ocular applications for conditions like retinitis pigmentosa.