Targeted intracranial delivery of engineered extracellular vesicles
This innovative solution involves engineered extracellular vesicles (EVs) for targeted drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier, combining astrocyte EVs and placenta mesenchymal stem cell EVs to enhance neurodegenerative disease treatment.
Overview
The targeted intracranial delivery of engineered extracellular vesicles (EVs) offers a revolutionary approach to treating neurodegenerative diseases. By harnessing the natural abilities of EVs to mediate intercellular communication and cross biological barriers like the blood-brain barrier (BBB), this technology promises enhanced treatment outcomes. The innovation lies in fusing astrocyte-derived EVs, known for their BBB penetration, with placenta mesenchymal stem cell-derived EVs, recognized for their neuroprotective properties. This fusion leads to a homogenized EV product, maximizing therapeutic delivery and efficacy.
Technical specifications
- Engineered Hybrid EVs (hEVs): Formed by fusing PMSC-EVs and astrocyte EVs using sonication, retaining inherent therapeutic cargo and enabling exogenous loading of nucleic acids like EGFP mRNA.
- BBB Penetration and Targeting: Assessed using a microfluidic model with brain microvascular endothelial cells, astrocytes, and pericytes to measure penetration efficiency and cell-specific targeting.
- Biodistribution and Transfection Efficiency: Evaluated in a non-human primate model of Alzheimer’s disease, using fluorescent labeling and immunohistochemistry to track intracranial delivery and gene transfection.
Technology readiness level
This technology is currently at Technology Readiness Level 4, having undergone validation of synthesis and preliminary testing of targeting and delivery mechanisms in controlled environments.
About University of California, Davis
UC Davis is a comprehensive public research university in Northern California, combining a land-grant heritage with an integrated academic health system and a veterinary teaching hospital. Industry engages through co-located clinical and translational facilities in Sacramento, a campus-adjacent research park, pilot-scale food and bioprocessing facilities, and a statewide extension network for field-to-market deployment. Proximity to the Bay Area and California's Central Valley enables rapid collaboration with startups and established enterprises, while corporate relations staff streamline access to faculty, talent, and core labs. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as NIH, NSF, USDA, and DOE. A dedicated technology transfer office and venture support programs provide IP management, licensing, and startup formation pathways for industry partnerships.
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