PolySciTech PLGA used as part of research investigating drug-eluting electrospun mesh systems

PolySciTech Division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) provides a wide array of biodegradable polymers. Recently, researchers at University of Washington used PolySciTech PLGA (PolyVivo Cat# AP154) as part of an electrospun system for delivery of model drug tenofovir (a hydrophilic antiretroviral medication). They investigated this system both in terms of drug release as well as the relationship between drug release and polymer degradation and mechanical performance. This research holds promise for improved drug-eluting polymer meshes which could be used for a wide array of applications. Read more: Chou, Shih-Feng, and Kim A. Woodrow. "Relationships between mechanical properties and drug release from electrospun fibers of PCL and PLGA blends." Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials (2016). http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1751616116303101

“Highlights Drug-polymer interactions in electrospun drug-eluting fibers. Correlations of drug release, polymer degradation on fiber tensile properties. Drug partitioning in blend polyester fibers. Abstract: Electrospun nanofibers have the potential to achieve high drug loading and the ability to sustain drug release. Mechanical properties of the drug-incorporated fibers suggest the importance of drug-polymer interactions. In this study, we investigated the mechanical properties of electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) and poly (D,L-lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) fibers at various blend ratios in the presence and absence of a small molecule hydrophilic drug, tenofovir (TFV). Young's modulus of the blend fibers showed dependence of PLGA content and the addition of the drug. At PCL/PLGA (20/80) composition, Young's modulus and tensile strength were independent of drug loading up to 40 wt% due to offsetting effect from drug-polymer interactions. In vitro drug release studies suggested that release of TFV significantly decreased fiber mechanical properties. In addition, mechanically stretched fibers displayed a faster release rate as compared to the non-stretched fibers. Finally, drug partition in the blend fibers was estimated using a mechanical model and then experimentally confirmed by using a composite of individually stacked fiber meshes. This work provides scientific understanding on the dependence of drug release and drug loading on the mechanical properties of drug-eluting fibers. Keywords: Electrospun fibers; Mechanical properties; Drug loading; Drug release; Drug-polymer interaction; Drug partition”