Injectable and Biodegradable Hydrogels for Sustained Release of Protein Drugs

Frequent injections of protein drug are usually required due to the short half-life of protein drugs. For example, interferon and Pegylated-interferon are needed to inject 3 times and once a week respectively, in the treatment of hepatitis. One promising way to reduce the frequency of injections would be development of controlled release system using injectable hydrogels. However, the challenge is to release the drug at the sustained rate for long time period in conventional hydrogel system. 

Dr Motoichi Kurisawa and his team specialize in drug delivery systems. They invented a new injectable hydrogel system that achieves very long sustained protein release. This could potentially reduce the frequency of injection and improve the patient’s quality of life. This hydrogel exhibits outstanding performance in:

• Sustained release of protein drugs
• No initial burst release
• Improved half-life and efficacy
• Reduced frequency of injections
• Biocompatible and biodegradable

All sustainable  Pegylated proteins drugs  that require similar in vivo release profile as IBN hydrogel. Please refer to the attached chart.

Our in vivo test showed very positive results. The team are competent and confident to establish commercial collaboration in:

• Joint-development of new protein delivery formulations for treatment of diverse chronic diseases.
• Collaboration to customize the technology for sustained delivery of active ingredient of interest.
• Sharing expertise in licensing partnership.