AIBN Seminar Series NANOTECHNOLOGY FOR HELPING COMPLEX DRUGS AND VACCINES REACHING THEIR TARGETS

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Abstract

Biological drugs, including proteins and RNA-based polynucleotides, are taking an increasing space in the industry pipelines. Despite their potency, the difficulties of these macromolecules for overcoming biological barriers and reach the intracellular targets have limited their full exploitation.

Fortunately, the continuously improved understanding of the biological barriers and the molecular biology associated to pathological conditions is paving the way for a more comprehensive and rational design of protein formulations based on the use of nanotechnology. Our laboratory, with a long-track experience in the formulation of macromolecules using polymer nanoparticles, has significantly contributed to this field. As an example, in the 90’s we were the first to report that nanoparticles made of either PLA-PEG or chitosan were efficient vehicles for the transmucosal delivery of proteins, antigens and polynucleotides. The result of our subsequent efforts is an array of nanotechnologies, which make use of polymers and lipids and can be used to deliver biologicals across mucosal surfaces, and to facilitate their intracellular delivery following parenteral administration.

In my presentation, I will focus on the design of carriers for proteins and RNA molecules that could be used in different therapeutic areas: (i) nanovaccines, taking HIV as an example, (iii) nose-to-brain delivery of RNA, (iv) delivery of mAb targeted to intracellular onco-proteins, as new oncological treatments.

Overall, our experience in this field has benefited from integrative approaches adopted by specifically designed consortia. Hopefully, the results of these cooperative efforts will help to accelerate the progress of a rational design of protein-based nanomedicines.
More information about these projects can be found at:
http://www.usc.es/grupos/mjalonsolab/

Acknowledgements:
The research activity has been founded by the Horizon 2020 Program the European Comision (grant agreement # 646142 – NANOPILOT and grant agreement No. 721058- B-SMART), by MINECO- PCIN-2017-129/ AEI, under the frame of EuroNanoMed III, and by The National Institutes of Health (NIH) (Grant Number: R01AI111805