Pilot-scale preparation of phospholipid-free small unilamellar vesicle formulations with potential in treatment of hepatic diseases

Lipid-based nanoparticular drug formulations are a successful technique to enable targeted treatment. The Canadian company Precision Nanosystems Inc. (PNI) develops the innovative instrument family NanoAssemlr for lipid nanoparticle preparation based on microfluidics. These instruments are fast, easy-to-use and provide a high batch-to-batch reproducibility and quality. Recently, we developed a novel lipid nanoparticle formulation with the unique feature of selective liver targeting, which could only be prepared with NanoAssemlr Benchtop at relatively small scale. In order to further investigate this technology in vivo, the formulation needs to be produced in larger scale. PNI can support this project by helping to scale-up their production on the NanoAssemblr Blaze, by assisting in optimization of purification methods and by providing guidance on analytical method characterization. We will then utilize this innovative formulation to deliver a rescuing agent (glutathione) to treat acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury in a mouse model to demonstrate a potential utility.

Faculty Supervisor:

Shyh-Dar Li

Student:

Lukas Hohenwarter

Partner:

StemCell Technologies

Discipline:

Pharmacy / Pharmacology

Sector:

Medical devices

University:

Program: