Long-acting injectable peptide-like hydrogel depots for anxiety management

Overview

This innovative solution involves the development of long-acting injectable formulations based on peptide-like hydrogels, designed for effective anxiety management. These hydrogels form in situ and are capable of releasing drugs continuously for over 84 days, offering a practical administration solution. The technology enhances stability and biocompatibility, overcoming common challenges such as drug insolubility and aggregation.

Technical specifications

• Peptide-like hydrogel formulation: Mimics natural proteins and peptides, forming drug-releasing depots in response to phosphatase enzymes in the skin.
• Multi-drug incorporation: Fully soluble aqueous formulation prevents stability issues like flocculation, allowing for multiple drug incorporations.
• Material properties: Optimized mechanical, structural, and stability profiles informed by rheology, microscopy, and spectroscopy.
• Biocompatibility and stability: Proven protease stability, cell cytotoxicity, and inflammation compatibility.

Technology readiness level

This technology is currently at TRL 4, with successful in vitro drug release studies and ongoing in vivo pharmacokinetics and safety testing using Sprague-Dawley rats. The solution is progressing towards full validation, with a future aim of achieving practical, long-term anxiety management options.