As the world's population ages, disorders affecting the posterior segment of the eye are occurring at an increasing rate. Treatment of these diseases requires injection of drugs into the eye ball resulting in patient discomfort and secondary complications. A method of sustained drug delivery and release would limit the injections required for treatment and the resultant complications. Polypeptides are ideal materials for ocular drug delivery vehicles due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability.Amphiphilic polypeptides with precise properties can be synthesized from amino acid building blocks using ring opening polymerization (ROP) of N-Carboxyanhydrides (NCAs). Self-assembly of these polymers, yields nanoparticles with potential drug delivery properties. This presentation details the synthesis of a series of peptide-based polymers and their formulation into nanoparticles, both micelles and vesicles. Characterization of the nanoparticles and an investigation into their suitability for drug delivery was carried out and will also be discussed. 

Polypeptide-based nanoparticles for ocular drug delivery

247th National Meeting (2014)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.