PLGA from PolySciTech used in development of triphasic bone tissue scaffold

 

Healing of bone tissue is difficult and requires some form of scaffolding or other support structure for cells to grow on. Researchers at University of California (Riverside) used PLGA (AP049) from PolySciTech Division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) to develop a multicomponent bone tissue scaffold. This holds promise to provide for treatment of injuries or other bone defects. Read more: Wetteland, Cheyann, Changlu Xu, Sebo Michelle Wang, Chaoxing Zhang, Elizabeth Juntilla Ang, Cole Gabriel Azevedo, and Huinan Hannah Liu. "Engineering the Ratios of Nanoparticles Dispersed in Triphasic Nanocomposites for Biomedical Applications." ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (2025). https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsami.4c14712

“Polymer/ceramic nanocomposites integrated the advantages of both polymers and ceramics for a wide range of biomedical applications, such as bone tissue repair. Here, we reported triphasic poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA, LA/GA = 90:10) nanocomposites with improved dispersion of hydroxyapatite (HA) and magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles using a process that integrated the benefits of ultrasonic energy and dual asymmetric centrifugal mixing. We characterized the microstructure and composition of the nanocomposites and evaluated the effects of the HA/MgO ratios on degradation behavior and cell–material interactions. The PLGA/HA/MgO nanocomposites were composed of 70 wt % PLGA and 30 wt % nanoparticles made of 20:10, 25:5, and 29:1% by weight of HA and MgO, respectively. The results showed that the nanocomposites had a homogeneous nanoparticle distribution and as-designed elemental composition. The cell study indicated that reducing the MgO content in the triphasic nanocomposite increased the BMSC adhesion density under both direct and indirect contact conditions. Specifically, after the 24 and 48 h of culture, the PLGA/HA/MgO group with a weight ratio of 70:29:1 (P70/H29/M1) exhibited the greatest average cell adhesion density under direct and indirect contact conditions among triphasic nanocomposites. During a 28-day degradation study, the mass loss of triphasic nanocomposites was 18 ± 2% for P70/H20/M10, 9 ± 2% for P70/H25/M5, and 7 ± 1% for P70/H29/M1, demonstrating that MgO nanoparticles accelerated the degradation of the nanocomposites. Postculture analysis showed that the pH values and Mg2+ ion concentrations in the media increased with increasing MgO content in the nanocomposites. Triphasic nanocomposites provided different degradation profiles that can be tuned for different biomedical applications, especially when a shorter or longer period of degradation would be desirable for optimal bone tissue regeneration. The concentration and ratio of nanoparticles should be adjusted and optimized when other polymers with different degradation modes and rates are used in the nanocomposites.”

PLGA (Cat# AP049): https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AP049#h

Corbion Purasorb® Polymers: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/purasorb/

Ashland-TM Polymer Products: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/ashland/

mPEG-DMAEMA from PolySciTech used in development of pH Sensitive thermogel for treatment of ovarian cancer

 

Ovarian cancer is asymptomatic in early stages and has a poor prognosis once it has received an advanced stage. Delivery of chemotherapeutic agents in a localized manner can provide for treatment especially of drug-resistant forms of ovarian cancer. Researchers at Chungbuk National University, University of Oklahoma, Sookmyung Women’s University, and CTCBIO Inc. used mPEG-DMAEMA (AO019) from PolySciTech Division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) to create thermogel solution for delivery of paclitaxel and olaparib. This research holds promise to improve treatment of ovarian cancer. Read more: Jo, Min Jeong, Moon Sup Yoon, Seo Yeon Kim, Jae Min Lee, Su Jeong Kang, Chun-Woong Park, Jin-Seok Kim, Je-Hyun Yoon, and Dae Hwan Shin. "A combination formulation of TPGS micelles loaded with paclitaxel and olaparib and a pH-thermosensitive hydrogel for treating peritoneal metastasis and drug-resistant ovarian cancer." Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation (2025): 1-17. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40005-024-00705-7

“Purpose: Ovarian cancer (OC) is difficult to detect early; therefore, it is highly likely to advance to peritoneal metastasis at the time of diagnosis. Moreover, multi-drug resistance (MDR) results in a high recurrence rate. To address these issues, the present study aimed to design an intraperitoneally administered formulation combining a d-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) micelles loaded with paclitaxel (PTX) and olaparib (OLA) and a pH-thermosensitive hydrogel. Methods: To assess PTX and OLA’s synergistic effects, we evaluated the combination index (CI) at various molar ratios and physicochemical properties of the formulations and carried out both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Results: PTX and OLA showed a synergistic effect at all ratios, and considering the various physicochemical properties, a 1:4 ratio using 50 mg of TPGS and a gel polymer concentration of 12.5% w/v was identified as the optimum formulation. In vitro cytotoxicity and cellular uptake assays demonstrated high cytotoxicity of the TPGS micelles compared to those of the free drug and methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone) (mPEG-PCL) micelles (control) in all formulation groups; TPGS micelles also increased cellular uptake efficiency. Drug release profiles in vitro demonstrated that both PTX and OLA had a release pattern influenced by pH levels, with the slowest release observed at pH 7.4. In vitro and in vivo drug release profiles showed similar release patterns, with PTX showing slower release than OLA. Conclusion: The final formulation of this study represents a promising therapeutic strategy for OC; however, due to potential toxicity issues of the polymer, its clinical application needs to be further studied.”

PDMAEMA-PEG (Cat# AO019): https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AO019#h

NEW: Corbion Purasorb® Polymers: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/purasorb/

NEW: Ashland-TM Polymer Products: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/ashland/

PLGA from PolySciTech used in developing hyaluronic acid-PLGA-irinotecan to create nanoconjugates for colorectal cancer treatment

 

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the most prevalent cancers with high mortality rates globally. There is limited potential for therapy due to toxic side effects from systemic delivery of chemotherapeutics. Researchers at Pusan National University and Korea University used PLGA (AP037) from PolySciTech Division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) to chemically conjugate hyaluronic acid and irinotecan together to make prodrug nanoconjugates. This research holds promise to provide for treatment of colorectal cancer. Read more: Lee, Juho, Jihyun Kim, Dongmin Kwak, Hyunwoo Kim, Muneeb Ullah, Min Chan Kim, Kyu Hyun et al. "On-site sol-gel-sol transition of alginate enables reversible shielding/deshielding of tumor cell-activated nanoconjugates for precise local colorectal cancer therapy." Chemical Engineering Journal 505 (2025): 158935. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1385894724104263

“Highlights: Alg/CTNCs were developed as an orally administrable precise local CRC therapeutic. Alg/CTNCs exhibited on-site sol-gel-sol transition during GI tract passage. Interactions with the small intestinal epithelium and premature drug loss were prevented. In the colorectum, CTNCs liberated from Alg/CTNCs selectively accumulated in CRC tissues. Tumor esterase facilitated drug release from the CTNCs, resulting in potent antitumor effects. Abstract: Although local colorectal cancer (CRC) therapy can be achieved by delivering CRC-targeted nanoparticles directly to the tumor tissues within the colorectal cavity, bypassing systemic circulation through the oral administration route, physical entrapment of the nanoparticles by the small intestinal epithelium, and premature drug loss before reaching the colorectal cavity results in limited local therapeutic efficacy. To overcome these limitations, this study aimed to develop CRC cell-activated nanoconjugates (CTNCs)-in-alginate (Alg/CTNCs). After oral administration, Alg/CTNCs undergo a sol-gel transition upon exposure to gastric acid, and the alginate gel matrix effectively shields the incorporated CTNCs, preventing unwanted interactions with the intestinal epithelium and drug loss before reaching the colorectum. Upon reaching the colorectum, the elevated pH triggers a gel-sol transition in the gelated Alg/CTNCs, and the deshielded CTNCs from the alginate gel matrix show highly CRC-selective accumulation. Finally, drugs are released in response to intracellular esterase, ultimately leading to potent local antitumor effects without systemic side effects. These findings suggest that the reversible shielding/deshielding of nanomaterials during gastrointestinal tract passage, along with intratumoral environment-activated drug release strategies, enables precise local CRC therapy.”

PLGA (Cat# AP037): https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AP037#h

NEW: Corbion Purasorb® Polymers: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/purasorb/

NEW: Ashland-TM Polymer Products: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/ashland/

PLGA-PEG-PLGA nanogel system used in development of brain cancer treatment.

 

Glioblastoma is a common form of brain cancer which is difficult to treat. One way to bypass the blood-brain-barrier to deliver therapeutics to the site is to implant a nanogel system into the cranial cavity directly. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University, St. John’s University, and OncoGone, Inc. used PLGA-PEG-PLGA ( cat# AK012, AK019) from PolySciTech Division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) to develop a pellet system for controlled delivery of Temozolomide and paclitaxel to brain tumors. This research holds promise to improve cancer therapy in the future. Read more: Slika, Hasan, Aanya Shahani, Kranthi Gattu, Varsha Mundrathi, Ameilia A. Solan, Brianna Gonzalez, Tasmima N. Haque et al. "Intracranial Nanogel Pellets Carrying Temozolomide and Paclitaxel for Adjuvant Brain Cancer Therapy." Molecular Pharmaceutics (2024). https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.4c00708

“Glioblastoma multiforme is the most frequently diagnosed primary malignant brain tumor. Despite multimodal therapy with surgical resection, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, recurrence of the tumor is almost always guaranteed due to the infiltrative nature of the disease. Moreover, the blood brain barrier imparts an additional layer of complexity by impeding the delivery of therapeutic agents to the tumor, hence limiting the efficacy of systemically delivered drugs. Hence, to overcome this obstacle and avoid treatment resistance, the local delivery of combination therapies has risen as an appealing adjuvant treatment. The present study describes the creation of a novel PLGA–PEG-PLGA-based nanogel pellet system for the interstitial delivery of Temozolomide (TMZ) and paclitaxel (PTX) to the brain. The nanogel pellet was shown to be stable as a pellet at ambient temperature, absorb water, change to a gel formulation at physiological temperature, and achieve gradual long-term release of TMZ and PTX in vitro. Additionally, in vivo testing of the TMZ/PTX-loaded nanogel pellets in an orthotopic CT2A mouse model and an orthotopic 9L rat model has shown an acceptable safety profile when implanted intracranially and a significant improvement in overall survival.”

PLGA-PEG-PLGA (Cat# AK012, AK019): https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AK012#h

https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AK019#h


NEW: Corbion Purasorb® Polymers: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/purasorb/

NEW: Ashland-TM Polymer Products: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/ashland/

Fluorescent PLGA from PolySciTech used in development of carrier system for cell immunotherapy as treatment of infection.

 

Although periodontitis is an oral infection affecting teeth, it has been strongly associated with diseases of significantly higher morbidity and mortality such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. Macrophages (immune cells) can be directed to control immune response as well as healing and other biological processes by attaching cellular backpacks to them. Researchers at Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Niigata University used PLGA-rhodamine and PLGA-CY5 (AV011, AV034) from PolySciTech Division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) to develop particles which can control macrophage behavior. This research holds promise to treat a wide range of disease states. Read more: Nakajima, Mayuka, Neha Kapate, John R. Clegg, Mayumi Ikeda-Imafuku, Kyung Soo Park, Ninad Kumbhojkar, Vinny Chandran Suja et al. "Backpack-carrying macrophage immunotherapy for periodontitis." Journal of Controlled Release 377 (2025): 315-323. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016836592400782X

“Highlights: M2 macrophages can suppress inflammation in periodontitis. IL-4 loaded cellular backpacks (BPs) were engineered for maintaining macrophages in M2 phenotype. M2 cells carrying IL-4 BPs (BP-M2 cells) were injected into the inflamed gingiva. M2 cells remained in the injected tissue and their therapeutic efficacy was observed. BP-M2 cells offer a promising local therapy for treating periodontitis. Abstract: Cell immunotherapy is a promising therapeutic modality to combat unmet medical needs. Macrophages offer a prominent cell therapy modality since their phenotypic plasticity allows them to perform a variety of roles including defending against pathogens, inducing/suppressing adaptive immunity, and aiding in wound healing. At the same time, this plasticity is a major hurdle in implementation of macrophage therapy. This hurdle can be overcome by cellular backpacks (BPs), discoidal particles that adhere on the macrophage surface and regulate M1/M2 phenotypic shift in an environment-independent manner. In this study, we engineered IL-4 BPs for maintaining macrophages in the M2 phenotype to regulate excess inflammation in periodontitis, a major oral infectious disease. IL-4 BPs induced and maintained M2 phenotype in macrophages in vitro for several days. After injection of macrophages carrying IL-4 BPs into the gingiva, the cells stayed in the tissue for over 5 days and maintained the M2 phenotype in the disease sites. Furthermore, treatment with IL-4 BP-macrophages significantly suppressed the disease progression. Altogether, a treatment with BP-carrying macrophages offers a promising local therapy against periodontitis.”

PLGA-Rhodamine (Cat# AV011): https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AV011#h

PLGA-Rhodamine (Cat# AV034): https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AV034#h

NEW: Corbion Purasorb® Polymers: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/purasorb/

NEW: Ashland-TM Polymer Products: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/ashland/

mPEG-PLGA from PolySciTech used in development of advanced radiotherapy of brain cancer

 

Glioblastoma is a form of brain cancer which has high mortality and limited treatment options. Currently only surgery and radiotherapy are available as treatments. Radiotherapy can be enhanced by delivery of radiosensitizers to the glioblastoma region. Researchers at Fuzhou University, Fujian Medical University School, and Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University utilized mPEG-PLGA (AK037) to delivery hemin to glioblastoma to improve the efficacy of radiotherapy. This research holds promise to improve therapy of brain tumors in the future. Read more: Yang, Bo, Xiaohang Jiang, Yifan Liu, Guangwei Zheng, Yanjuan Li, Fuli Xin, and Feng Lu. "Erythrocyte Membrane-Camouflaged Hemin-Based Nanoplatform for Radiotherapy of Glioblastoma." ACS Applied Nano Materials (2024). https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsanm.4c04992

“Glioblastoma, accounting for 44% of all malignant brain tumors, is characterized by a dismal prognosis due to high mortality, recurrence, and limited survival time. Current standard treatment, radiotherapy, is resistant to the tumor hypoxic microenvironment, which reduces the effect of radiotherapy. Here, we present a nanoplatform, PLGA-Hemin@RBCM (PHR), which leverages the catalase mimetic activity of hemin to convert tumor-elevated H2O2 into oxygen and hydroxyl radicals, improving tumor oxygenation and enhancing radiotherapy sensitivity. The PEG-PLGA nanomicelle delivery platform improves the biocompatibility and stability of the drug and delays the release of the drug. Camouflaging the nanoparticles with red blood cell membranes not only avoids immune clearance but also prolongs circulation time and enhances tumor accumulation via the EPR effect. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate the efficacy of our nanoplatform, offering a promising therapeutic strategy for glioblastoma management in the clinic.”

mPEG-PLGA (Cat# AK037): https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AK037#h

NEW: Corbion Purasorb® Polymers: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/purasorb/

NEW: Ashland-TM products: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/ashland/

Extrusion Process Optimization Research Performed Using Ashland PLGA Available for Distribution through PolySciTech

 

Through a partnership with Ashland, PolySciTech provides distribution of PLGA products for non-clinical development purposes (https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/ashland/). Recently several of these polymers were utilized in research on hot-melt extrusion processing for development of long-acting implants. This research holds promise to provide for LAIs that can achieve desired drug release profiles for long-term patient care. Read more: Yang, Fengyuan, Ryan Stahnke, Kamaru Lawal, Cory Mahnen, Patrick Duffy, Shuyu Xu, and Thomas Durig. "Development of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid)(PLGA) based implants using hot melt extrusion (HME) for sustained release of drugs: The impacts of PLGA’s material characteristics." International Journal of Pharmaceutics 663 (2024): 124556. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378517324007907

“Hot melt extrusion (HME) processed Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) implant is one of the commercialized drug delivery products, which has solid, well-designed shape and rigid structures that afford efficient locoregional drug delivery on the spot of interest for months. In general, there are a variety of material, processing, and physiological factors that impact the degradation rates of PLGA-based implants and concurrent drug release kinetics. The objective of this study was to investigate the impacts of PLGA’s material characteristics on PLGA degradation and subsequent drug release behavior from the implants. Three model drugs (Dexamethasone, Carbamazepine, and Metformin hydrochloride) with different water solubility and property were formulated with different grades of PLGAs possessing distinct co-polymer ratios, molecular weights, end groups, and levels of residual monomer (high/ViatelTM and low/ ViatelTM Ultrapure). Physicochemical characterizations revealed that the plasticity of PLGA was inversely proportional to its molecular weight; moreover, the residual monomer could impose a plasticizing effect on PLGA, which increased its thermal plasticity and enhanced its thermal processability. Although the morphology and microstructure of the implants were affected by many factors, such as processing parameters, polymer and drug particle size and distribution, polymer properties and polymer-drug interactions, implants prepared with ViatelTM PLGA showed a smoother surface and a stronger PLGA-drug intimacy than the implants with ViatelTM Ultrapure PLGA, due to the higher plasticity of the ViatelTM PLGA. Subsequently, the implants with ViatelTM PLGA exhibited less burst release than implants with ViatelTM Ultrapure PLGA, however, their onset and progress of the lag and substantial release phases were shorter and faster than the ViatelTM Ultrapure PLGA-based implants, owing to the residual monomer accelerated the water diffusion and autocatalyzed PLGA hydrolysis. Even though the drug release profiles were also influenced by other factors, such as composition, drug properties and polymer-drug interaction, all three cases revealed that the residual monomer accelerated the swelling and degradation of PLGA and impaired the implant’s integrity, which could negatively affect the subsequent drug release behavior and performance of the implants. These results provided insights to formulators on rational PLGA implant design and polymer selection.”

NEW: Ashland-TM products: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/ashland/

Video: https://youtu.be/h2JEHB5Uvz0