Aphios
presents its Polymeric Nanospheres Process at the 10th Annual
NSTI Nanotech 2007 Conference
May 20, 2007 - Biologically
adherent polymeric microsphere carriers have been shown
to be effective in the oral delivery of proteins such as
insulin and DNA plasmids. These microspheres are comprised
of hydrophobic copolymers that appear to have a significantly
longer residence time in the gastrointestinal tract as compared
to conventional microspheres. While highly promising, the
hydrophobic microspheres still present challenges in terms
of manufacturing and formulation of a clinically acceptable
product.
Typically, the microspheres are produced from an organic
solvent solution, which raises concerns about deleterious
effects on the therapeutic proteins and residual organic
solvent in the final product. We have avoided these difficulties
by utilizing SuperFluids™ to form mono-disperse polymer
nanospheres. SuperFluids™ are supercritical, critical
or near-critical fluids with or without polar cosolvents
such as ethanol.
SuperFluids™ biodegradable polymer nanospheres can
also be utilized for the controlled release of viral vaccine
antigens. The use of SuperFluids™ reduces exposure
of viral antigens such as HIV and Influenza to potentially
denaturing organic solvents such as methylene chloride and
ethyl acetate, and improves the stability of protein antigens
in the body at ambient temperature for long periods, thereby
enhancing the capability of nanoencapsulated vaccine antigens
to induce the production of protective and neutralizing
antibodies.
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