The technology consists of a chip made up of microreservoirs that store and protect a therapeutic. This chip is inserted under the skin and releases the drug upon receipt of a wireless signal or over time as the polymeric matrices degrade.
MicroCHIPS received the award for its use of the technology to deliver a treatment for osteoporosis, which is currently in preclinical and due to enter clinical trials in 2010.
Santini said that initial work on the device, which was published in Nature Biotechnology, demonstrated that the device could deliver lupolide over six months. The current preclinical work on an osteoporosis treatment is being tested over three months, although this is being increased.
Shorter time frames will be used initially when the product enters clinical trials as MicroCHIPS gathers data on the pharmacokinetics. If commercialised the device could remain in a person for over a year.
Future developments and partnerships
MicroCHIPS is seeking partners for use of the its device with other drugs, with Santini saying that his company’s lack of novel compounds meant collaborations were the best way of expanding the technologies use.
Expressing the benefits offered by the device Santini said: “Many potent therapeutics aren’t effective because of hurdles associated with drug delivery. Microreservoirs, integrated in long-term implants with wireless communications, can address issues of patient compliance, long-term drug stability, and the need for precisely-timed delivery.”
The technology could be used as a rescue device, delivering a dose of therapeutic in emergency situations. Santini explained that this could link with the diabetes sensor that MicroCHIPS is also developing.
This would form a three component system, with the sensor communicating with an insulin pump to keep glucose levels stable. In the event of a hypoglycemic event the emergency release of glucagon from the drug delivery chip would be triggered.
Companies partnering with MicroCHIPS will also get access to the formulation expertise that the company has gained through making drugs suitable for delivery using the device. Santini explained that the therapeutic has to be concentrated enough to fit in the small volume and stable enough to remain effective over the devices lifespan.