PLGA-FKR648 from PolySciTech used in development of nanoparticles for colorectal cancer therapy

 

Colorectal cancer is an extremely common form of cancer which often leads to death in advanced stages. Researchers at Universidade do Porto used PLGA-FKR648 (AV015, https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AV015#h) from PolySciTech : Akina, Inc. (www.PolySciTech.com) to develop NIR traceable nanoparticles for treatment of colorectal cancer. This research holds promise for improved therapies in the future. Read more: Baião, Ana, Flávia Castro, Juliana Viegas, Andreia S. Barros, Sofia Dias, Carla Oliveira, and Bruno Sarmento. "Targeted nanoparticle delivery of irinotecan enhances tumor response to PD-L1 blockade in colorectal cancer." Journal of Controlled Release (2026): 114609. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168365926000106

“Abstract: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer mortality, with limited therapeutic options in advanced stages. CD44v6, a splice variant overexpressed in CRC, promotes tumor progression and immune evasion, representing a relevant target for selective drug delivery. In this work, irinotecan-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles functionalized with CD44v6 ligands (Iri@NP-v6) were developed to improve irinotecan delivery and therapeutic responses in CRC. Iri@NP-v6 showed controlled physicochemical properties, high drug loading, and sustained release. In vitro, targeted NPs achieved selective uptake and enhanced cytotoxicity in CD44v6+ CRC cell lines. In immune-stromal co-culture spheroids, Iri@NP-v6 combined with anti-PD-L1 reduced viability, promoted Th1-associated cytokines, and limited tumor-supportive MCP-1 production. While NP monotherapy induced mixed inflammatory signals, PD-L1 blockade redirected this response toward a Th1-dominated profile. In immunocompetent mice with MC38 tumors, combination therapy significantly reduced tumor burden and increased CD4+ and CD8+ T cell infiltration without systemic toxicity. Importantly, free irinotecan triggered broad systemic inflammation, whereas NP-based delivery limited systemic cytokine release while maintaining intratumoral immune activation. These findings demonstrate that CD44v6-targeted irinotecan NPs in combination with PD-L1 blockade, reshape the CRC immune microenvironment while reducing systemic inflammation, supporting their potential as a tumor-selective chemo-immunotherapy platform. Graphical abstract: This study shows that specially designed nanoparticles can target colorectal cancer cells and deliver chemotherapy more effectively. When combined with immunotherapy, the treatment decreases tumor volume, boosts immune response, and causes no major side effects in mice. These results suggest a promising new approach to improve cancer treatment using targeted nanomedicine.”

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PLGA from PolySciTech used in the controlled delivery of Chlorohexidine as part of developing antibacterial ear-tags for farm animal tracking.

 

In addition to medical technology one of the areas where a substantial quantity of humanitarian good can be achieved is in the field of improving food production. Reports suggest that infection rates following ear tagging may range from 10 to 30% in commercial operations. One means to prevent this is to have controlled release of an anti-infective agent. Researchers at University of Arizona, University of Prince Edward Island, and University of Montreal used PLGA (AP293, https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AP293#h) from PolySciTech : Akina, Inc. (www.PolySciTech.com) to develop an anti-infective coating for ear-tags. This research holds promise to improve the sustainability of the food supply by reducing loss. Read more: Cartmell, Christopher, Emad Naseri, Russell G. Kerr, Daniel Hurnik, Chelsea Martin, and Ali Ahmadi. "Biopierces: drug-eluting ear tags for infection prevention in animal tagging." Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12 (2026): 1696488. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12964366/


“Ear tagging is a routine practice in livestock management, but it can be associated with bacterial colonization and infection at puncture sites. This study evaluated drug-eluting ear tags (Biopierce), incorporating chlorhexidine (CHX) in a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) matrix, due to their ability to reduce microbial burden and support wound healing. Biopierce eartags were fabricated by coating commercial ear tags with CHX–PLGA and compared to untreated controls. In vitro, Biopierces demonstrated a rapid burst release of CHX (~75% within 2 h), plateauing by 8 h, with eluates showing strong antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus in disk and tag diffusion assays. In vivo, five adult commercial boars each received one Biopierce and one control tag, with bacterial colonization assessed at 3, 7, 14, and 28 days using MALDI-TOF identification and semi-quantitative scoring. The Biopierce tags significantly reduced bacterial load, halving the prevalence of heavy contamination (27% vs. 12.6%, p = 0.0015) and doubling the prevalence of scant growth (9% vs. 21%, p = 0.017). Mean bacterial load scores were significantly lower with Biopierces (2.25 vs. 2.73, p < 0.05), and regression modeling confirmed a 20.1% reduction (p < 0.001). Histopathology on Day 28 showed trends toward reduced swelling (+45.2% vs. +57.6%) and increased full epithelialization (66% vs. 37%), though these did not reach statistical significance due to the small sample size. Taken together, these results demonstrate that Biopierce eartags provide localized CHX delivery that reduces bacterial colonization at tagging sites and may promote improved healing, supporting their potential as a practical infection and inflammation prevention strategy in livestock management. Keywords: animal tagging, biomaterials, drug eluting constructs, infection, piercing”

PCL from PolySciTech used in development of pH responsive nanocarriers for arthritis treatment

 

Psoralen is a naturally occurring furanocoumarin which can interact with DNA chains and is highly light sensitive. Due to it’s interactions with DNA, any medical use of it must be carefully localized to prevent unwanted side effects. Researchers at China Three Gorges University used PCL (AP257, https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AP257#h) from PolySciTech : Akina, Inc. (www.PolySciTech.com) to develop pH sensitive nanocarriers which deliver psoralen to the site of arthritis. This research holds promise to develop a treatment for this debilitating disease. Read more: Zhu, Lixian, Zhijie Gao, Tengyue Zhang, Hechao Zhao, Dexian Zeng, and Yanhua Wang. "Psoralen-loaded polycaprolactone microspheres: A pH-responsive drug carrier for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis." Materials Chemistry and Physics 354 (2026): 132185. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0254058426001768

“Developing novel drug carriers for delivery of psoralen (PSO) is crucial to inhibit the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This work aims to develop PSO-loaded polycaprolactone (PCL) microspheres through a single emulsion solvent evaporation route, improving the bioavailability and controllable release of PSO. The resulting PCL@PSO microspheres are characterized by multiple physicochemical techniques. Results show the loading of PSO onto PCL, via surface adsorption, increases the size and specific surface area. Accordingly, the encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of PCL@PSO microspheres are (87.77 ± 0.07)% and (12.28 ± 0.01)%, respectively. Strikingly, such microspheres exhibit pH-responsive drug kinetics, predominantly releasing PSO in alkaline environments in contrast with neutral or acidic conditions. This release pattern, mostly caused by diffusion, is conducive to inhibit inflammatory response whilst promote osteanagenesis in bone microenvironment. Cell experiments confirm PCL@PSO microspheres are cytocompatible with BMSCs cell but strongly toxic to RBL-2H3 cell. Mechanistically, mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, as evidenced by the up-regulation of pro-apoptosis proteins such as Caspase3, Cyto-c and Bax, is activated by PCL@PSO via increased ROS and reduced mitochondria membrane potentials. Further, the up-regulation of APC and LATS1, and the down-regulation of OIP5 are contributed to the apoptosis of RBL-2H3 cell. Moreover, PCL@PSO could down-regulate the expression of histamine receptor HRH1 in RBL-2H3 cell, thereby inhibiting inflammation expansion. However, the study is limited by the absence of in vivo animal validation, and the underlying mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. In particular, the upstream regulatory pathways governing ROS generation have yet to be comprehensively investigated. Conclusively, it is feasible to use PCL@PSO microspheres as candidate micro-carriers to deliver PSO, terminally inhibiting inflammatory response whilst promoting osteanagenesis, especially for individuals suffered from rheumatoid arthritis.”

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PLA-PCL-PEG-PCL-PLA from PolySciTech used in development of dexamethasone loaded nanoparticles to investigate glaucoma

 

Steroidal anti-inflammatories are a powerful class of drugs for management of inflammation however these have serious side-effects. Steroid-induced glaucoma (SIG) is a secondary, often silent, form of open-angle glaucoma caused by elevated eye pressure (intraocular pressure, or IOP) from prolonged corticosteroid use. Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Duke University, and Spelman College, utilized PLA-PCL-PEG-PCL-PLA (AK099, https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AK099#h) from PolySciTech : Akina, Inc. (www.PolySciTech.com) to research the pathology of glaucoma by inducing the disease state in a mouse model and exploring the factors contributing to IOP. This research holds promise to provide a better understanding of this often blinding disease. Read more: Wong, Cydney A., A. Thomas Read, Guorong Li, Amia Loveless, Nina Sara Fraticelli Guzman, Andrew J. Feola, Todd Sulchek, W. Daniel Stamer, and C. Ross Ethier. "Segmental outflow and trabecular meshwork stiffness in an ocular hypertensive mouse model." bioRxiv (2026): 2026-02. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.02.03.703547.abstract

“Purpose Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) due to increased outflow resistance through the trabecular meshwork (TM) is a major risk factor for primary open-angle glaucoma. Outflow through the TM is segmental, consisting of high flow (HF) and low flow (LF) regions. Here, we investigate how ocular hypertension impacts segmental outflow using a dexamethasone (DEX) mouse model and compare TM stiffness between HF and LF regions. Methods Nanoparticles containing DEX or vehicle were injected twice weekly in 2–4-month-old C57BL/6J mice (n=14), and IOP was measured weekly. At week 4, mouse eyes were perfused in vivo with fluorescent nanospheres to assess flow patterns and the circumferential percentage of high, intermediate, and low flow regions in each eye. Sagittal sections were collected from HF and LF regions, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to measure tissue stiffness. Immunofluorescent labeling was used to compare fibronectin and α-SMA protein levels. Results DEX treatment significantly elevated IOP by an average of 33.3% and altered tracer distribution but not the percentage of HF and LF regions around the circumference. No significant differences in TM stiffness were detected between DEX-treated and control mice, or between HF and LF regions. Increased fibronectin in LF regions of DEX-treated eyes suggested subtle TM structural changes that were not detected by AFM. Conclusions Dexamethasone alters segmental flow distribution and may impact cell contractility rather than ECM stiffness to cause IOP elevation in young mice. These findings better characterize the nature of segmental outflow and TM mechanics in this model of steroid-induced glaucoma.”

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mPEG-PLA from PolySciTech used in research on micelle formation and behavior.

 

Polymer micelles have great potential to solubilize and deliver hydrophobic drugs in the body. Researchers at Adelaide University, Noakhali Science and Technology University, used PEG-PLA (AK007, https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AK007#h) from PolySciTech : Akina, Inc. (www.PolySciTech.com) as part of their research into understanding micelle formation and behavior for delivery of hydrophobic drugs. This research holds promise to improve drug delivery for currently difficult to administer medications. Read more: Hussain, Md Saddam, Riya Khetan, Hugo Albrecht, Marta Krasowska, and Anton Blencowe. "Correlation of Polymer–drug Composition with Micelle Properties, Performance, and Cytotoxicity for the Oligoelectrolyte-mediated pH-triggered Release of Hydrophobic Drugs." Polymers 18, no. 2 (2026): 247. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12846188/

“Polymeric micelles have the potential to improve the efficacy and safety of drug delivery by improving drug solubility, enhancing bioaccumulation and reducing off-target toxicity. Despite excellent safety profiles, a major limitation with polymeric micelles is their inability to rapidly release their payload once they have reached their target, leading to the inadequate delivery of therapeutic doses. To address this limitation, we have developed a novel strategy to impart pH-responsiveness in non-responsive micelles through the co-encapsulation of oligoelectrolytes with drugs. Herein, we investigate the influence of copolymer composition and drug identity in combination with oligoelectrolyte—oligo(2-vinyl pyridine) (OVP)—loading on pH-triggered drug release from micelles and their cytotoxicity. A library of OVP-loaded micelles was prepared using conventional and well-established non-responsive block copolymers. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) was used to monitor the changes in the micelles as a function of pH. Regardless of the copolymer composition, an abrupt decrease in the hydrodynamic diameter (Dh) was observed as the pH was reduced due to OVP expulsion from the core, which was also confirmed by release studies. In general, co-encapsulation of OVP and model drugs (doxorubicin (DOX), gossypol (GP), paclitaxel (PX), and 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN38)) in the micelles provided good to excellent encapsulation efficiency percentage (EE%) values. In vitro studies revealed the pH triggered release of drugs from the OVP-loaded micelles regardless of the drug identity, which increased as the OVP loading increased. This general behaviour was observed in all cases, largely independent of the copolymer composition, albeit with subtle differences in the release profile for different drugs. Compared to their blank counterparts, the drug-loaded micelles displayed a slight increase in cytotoxicity against a panel of cancer cell lines, in a dose dependent manner. However, drug- and OVP-loaded micelles displayed a significant increase in cytotoxicity (up to 8-fold increase) that was independent of the copolymer composition. These results demonstrate the versatility of the oligoelectrolyte-mediated approach to furnish non-responsive micelles with a pH-trigger that allows the rapid release of drugs, regardless of the micelle composition or the drug identity. Keywords: diblock copolymer, polymeric micelles, oligoelectrolyte, pH-responsive, triggered release, drug delivery”

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PLGA from PolySciTech used in development of delivery system for mallotumide A as a treatment for triple negative breast cancer

 

Mallotumide is a cycloheptapeptide with anticancer activity. To this date, triple-negative breast cancer remains resistant to most treatment options. Researchers at Mahidol University and Academia Sinica, PLGA (AP059, https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AP059#h) from PolySciTech : Akina, Inc. (www.PolySciTech.com) to develop a targeted, nanoparticle for anticancer therapy towards this form of breast cancer. This research holds promise to provide for treatment against breast cancer. Read more: Manohong, Preeyanuch, Natthapat Sawektreeratana, Sopon Nuchpun, Tipaporn Kumkoon, Pattaree Payomhom, Chayanee Laowittawat, Sarawut Jitrapakdee et al. "Encapsulation of Plant‐Derived Cycloheptapeptide Mallotumide A in Riboflavin‐Modified Poly (Lactic‐Co‐Glycolic Acid)/Chitosan Nanoparticles." Macromolecular Materials and Engineering 311, no. 1 (2026): e00385. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/mame.202500385

“Mallotumide A (MA) is a novel cycloheptapeptide isolated from the roots of Mallotus spodocarpus Airy Shaw. It exerts anticancer activity by downregulating several lipogenic enzymes and cellular respiration, particularly in triple-negative breast cancer. However, MA has poor water solubility and is highly toxic to both cancer and normal cells, limiting its therapeutic applications. To address these drawbacks, MA was encapsulated within poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) and coated with riboflavin (Rf)-modified chitosan (CR), creating (MA)PLGA/CR NPs. This study characterized the NPs and investigated their encapsulation efficiency of MA, cellular uptake, and anticancer activity in two breast cancer (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) and normal (MCF-10A) cell lines. The NPs were spherical with an average size of 300 ± 6.64 nm and a zeta potential of +11.96 mV. The PLGA/CR NPs exhibited enhanced cellular uptake in both cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, while reducing toxicity in normal cells. Furthermore, the (MA)PLGA/CR NPs inhibited the viability, migration, and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells, thereby demonstrating their potential as a targeted anticancer delivery system.”

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