Engineering Tunable Mucoadhesive Nanocarriers for Ophthalmic Drug Delivery

Over 90% of ocular medications are administered by eye drops despite multiple drawbacks including low bioavailability of the target therapeutic, systemic toxicity, and the requirement for using high doses due to the effective clearance mechanisms for drug in the eye. To increase the therapeutic efficacy of ocular medications, novel nanocarrier systems have been developed that can deliver the drug to the ocular surface over an extended period of time at the required dose. These nanocarriers interact with the ocular tear film by adhering to the innermost mucosal layer that acts to protect and lubricate the eye. By sticking to the mucosal layer, mucoadhesive nanocarriers can greatly reduce dosing frequency, create a more comfortable drop to improve patient compliance, and improve clinical efficacy through controlled release. The proposed project is focused on assessing the performance of novel mucoadhesive nanocarriers developed by the applicant for ocular drug delivery for mucosal drug delivery, with a focus on characterizing the mechanisms of interactions between the nanocarriers and the mucosal layer.

Faculty Supervisor:

Todd Hoare

Student:

Partner:

University of Leeds

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Education

University:

McMaster University

Program: