Synthesis & Development of Nano and Microsponge Formulations for Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a slow and progressive degenerative joint disorder, and is the most common form of arthritis, causing a significant reduction in the quality of life of afflicted individuals. A common treatment for this disease is to inject corticosteroids, such as triamcinolone acetonide (TA), directly into affected joints, which treats the joint inflammation that causes pain, swelling and reduced mobility. However, the effect of these drugs is short lived due to the rapid clearance of the drug from the joint synovial fluid. Nanoferix has developed a new technology for drug delivery by encapsulating drugs into nano- or micron-sized particles that are specially formulated for stable and slow drug release. Using this technology, we will employ three differently sized particles loaded with the corticosteroid drug TA to optimize long-term and stable drug release in synovial fluid of arthritic joints, as a new and effective treatment approach for advanced osteoarthritis.

Faculty Supervisor:

Christine Allen

Student:

Frantz Le Devedec

Partner:

DiaTech

Discipline:

Pharmacy / Pharmacology

Sector:

Nanotechnologies

University:

University of Toronto