PEG-PLGA from PolySciTech use in development of drug delivery system described in recent patent

The PolySciTech division of Akina Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) provides a wide array of biodegradable block copolymers including non-reactive mPEG-PLGA and end-cap reactive Maleimide-PEG-PLGA. These allow for the generation of nanoparticles that can perform drug-delivery functions such as enhanced circulation time of poorly soluble drugs or targeted delivery to specific binding sites. Recently, researchers at John Hopkins University, as disclosed in a patent, utilized products from PolySciTech as part of their development efforts relating to a novel delivery platform for the delivery of peptides which prevent overgrowth of blood vessels (angiogenesis). Angiogenesis is involved in tumor development as tumors require more blood flow than normal tissue to sustain their rapid growth. Also, angiogenesis is involved in other diseases such as certain types of macular degeneration in which abnormally high blood vessel growth under the macula leads to bleeding and leakage. This research holds promise for treating a wide variety of diseases ranging from cancer to wet AMD. Read more here: Popel, Aleksander S., Niranjan B. Pandey, Esak Lee, Jordan J. Green, and Ron B. Shmueli. "A Biomimetic Peptide And Biodegradable Delivery Platform For The Treatment Of Angiogenesis-And Lymphangiogenesis-Dependent Diseases." U.S. Patent 20,160,122,390, issued May 5, 2016. http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2016/0122390.html

“Abstract: Mimetic peptides having anti-angiogenic and anti-tumorigenic properties and methods of their use for treating cancer, ocular diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, and other-angiogenesis-dependent diseases are disclosed. More particularly, an isolated peptide comprising the amino acid sequence LRRFSTAPFAFIDINDVINF, which exhibits anti-angiogenic activity in endothelial cell proliferation, migration, adhesion, and tube formation assays, anti-migratory activity in human breast cancer cells in vitro, anti-angiogenic and anti-tumorigenic activity in vivo in breast cancer xenograft models, and age-related macular degeneration models is disclosed. The isolate peptide also exhibits anti-lymphangiogenic and directly anti-tumorigenic properties.”