Maleimide-PEG-PLGA from PolySciTech used in development of cannabinoid-based therapy for heart disease

 

Heart disease is the number one cause of death world-wide. Researchers at  Universidad de Sevilla (Spain) used Mal-PEG-PLGA (Cat# AI053, https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AI053#h) from PolySciTech Department of Akina, Inc. (www.PolySciTech.com) to develop nanoparticles for targeted therapy to treat heart disease. This research holds promise to provide for treatment to this lethal disease. Read more:  Martín‐Navarro, Lucía, Lucía Martín‐Banderas, Josefa Álvarez‐Fuentes, and María Dolores Herrera‐González. "Targeted delivery of the CB2 receptor agonist JWH‐133 via VCAM‐1‐functionalised nanoparticles attenuates atherosclerosis and reveals sex‐specific therapeutic outcomes." British Journal of Pharmacology (2026). https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/bph.70688

“Atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease characterised by lipid accumulation and endothelial dysfunction, remains a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. While cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptor agonists show therapeutic promise in preclinical studies, their systemic application is hindered by poor bioavailability and off-target effects. Consequently, targeted delivery systems are essential to enhance therapeutic efficacy and mitigate adverse effects. This study presents a targeted nanotherapeutic strategy for localising the CB2 receptor agonist directly at atherosclerotic lesions. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs), encapsulating the selective agonist JWH-133 and functionalised with a VCAM-1 binding peptide (VBP) for selective binding to vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) (VBP-JWH-133-NPs), were developed. In vivo experiments were conducted in both male and female apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE−/−) mice to assess the anti-inflammatory and lipid-modulating effects of the nanotherapy. Serum lipid profiles, aortic plaque burden and key inflammatory markers were analysed. VBP-JWH-133-NPs significantly reduced foam cell-rich depositions and modulate systemic inflammatory markers in both sexes, demonstrating superior anti-atherogenic efficacy compared with free JWH-133. The therapeutic benefits are notably more pronounced in male mice, which exhibit greater initial plaque area and lipid deposition. These findings underscore the potential of VBP-JWH-133-NPs as an efficient and superior delivery system for cannabinoid therapies in atherosclerosis. By addressing sex as a biological variable, this approach offers a nuanced strategy for developing more effective and precise cardiovascular interventions.”

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mPEG-PCL from PolySciTech used in development of Myoblast therapy for paralysis treatment.

 

In the wake of nerve injury, typically the down-stream nerves from that location atrophy away over time to the point that even repairing the original nerve damage would not restore function in the case of paralysis. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University used mPEG-PCL (AK128, https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AK128#h) from PolySciTech division of Akina, Inc (www.polyscitech.com) to develop growth-factor releasing nanoparticles for co-delivery with myoblasts as a way to restore nerve cells in muscle after injury. This research holds promise to provide for treatment of paralysis in the future. Read more: Dias, Shaquielle, William Padovano, Chenhu Qiu, Thomas Harris, Rachana Suresh, Erica Lee, Eszter Mihaly et al. "Myoblast Therapy Ameliorates Skeletal Muscle Atrophy Resulting From Chronic Denervation." Muscle & Nerve 74, no. 1 (2026): 243-254. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/mus.70254

“Skeletal muscle undergoes progressive denervation-induced muscle atrophy (DIMA) after peripheral nerve injury that severely impairs the potential for motor functional recovery with reinnervation. There are currently no therapeutic strategies to reverse the deleterious effects of chronic DIMA, leaving affected patients with lifelong disability. Herein, we used a translational rodent forelimb nerve injury model to investigate whether targeted injection of syngeneic myoblasts to chronically atrophic muscle can reverse the histologic and functional consequences of DIMA. Male Lewis rats underwent median nerve transection followed by immediate (positive control) or delayed repair. Following a plateau of motor function, myoblasts were injected into the digital flexor muscles (n = 5–6 per group), delivered in either saline or a nanofiber hydrogel composite (NHC) loaded with agrin- and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)-releasing nanoparticles (npNHC). Serial functional assessments of stimulated grip strength and terminal histological evaluation were used to measure recovery. Satellite cell-rich (Pax7 Hi ) myoblast therapy caused sustained improvement in stimulated grip strength from pretreatment baseline (p < 0.05). Histological evaluation demonstrated that myoblast therapy, when delivered in npNHC, reversed whole muscle atrophy compared to positive controls [p = 0.997 and 0.996] and restored mean myofiber cross-sectional area [p = 0.244]. Correlation analysis demonstrated functional improvements were associated with increased myofiber cross-sectional area [r = 0.900, p = 3.01E-09]. Hai-Quan Mao, Sami Tuffaha, Thomas Harris, and Erica Lee are co-inventors on US and PCT patent applications related to NHC and IGF-1/agrin release platforms filed and managed by the Office of Johns Hopkins University Technology Ventures. All other authors have no financial disclosures or conflicts of interest.”

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mPEG-PLA from PolySciTech used in development of ultra-sound directed chemotherapy treatment

 

Most chemotherapeutics have severe side-effects which limit their usage. Researchers at University of Utah and Washington University School of Medicine used mPEG-PLA (AK009, https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AK009#h) to develop microdroplets containing chemotherapeutics and used ultrasound to direct their delivery. This research holds promise to improve treatment options for cancer. Read more: Whiting, Joshua Antonio, Audri Yasmin Al Hasan Dara, James Francis Kwan, and Jan Kubanek. "Development and Characterization of Ultrasound-Activated Polymeric Microdroplets for Targeted Chemotherapy." bioRxiv (2026): 2026-06. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.06.28.735147.abstract

“Potent antineoplastics, such as afatinib and freebase doxorubicin, are associated with systemic toxicity. To address this issue, we developed a carrier that releases drugs, including afatinib and doxorubicin, specifically at the focus of low-intensity ultrasound. This remotely triggered and focal approach enables the release of drugs specifically at the ultrasound focus, thus mitigating undesirable off-target effects, and at concentrations governed by the duration of the applied ultrasound. We produced ultrasound-sensitive microdroplets with high encapsulation efficiencies (39.6% for afatinib and 46.6% for doxorubicin). The microdroplets consist of an ultrasound-sensitive drug delivery system based on a methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(D, L-lactide) diblock copolymer (mPEG-PDLLA) and perfluorooctyl bromide (PFOB). Antineoplastic agents were encapsulated within these microdroplets via co-evaporation during particle synthesis. The microdroplets released doxorubicin and afatinib in an ultrasound-pressure-dependent manner, with fitted half-maximal release pressures (P50) of 0.61 MPa and 0.72 MPa, respectively. Together, the effective encapsulation of hydrophobic antineoplastic agents and the dose-dependent ultrasound-triggered release provide a new method for targeted drug delivery and a foundation for future targeted chemotherapies.”

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PLGA-PEG-Maleimide from PolySciTech used in development of non-Hodgkin lymphoma targeted nanoparticles.

 

There has been great interest in decreased nonspecific adhesivity receptor-targeted (DART) nanoparticles for cancer therapy for many years. Researchers at University of Maryland used mPEG-PLGA (AK010), PLGA-PEG-Maleimide (AI053), PLGA-Cyanine 5 (AV034), from PolySciTech division of Akina, Inc. (www.PolySciTech.com) to generate Rituximab conjugated nanoparticles for non-hodgkin lymphoma treatment. Read more: Mahmud, Md Musavvir, Byoungjae Kong, Daiheon Lee, Eduar Fernando Pinzon Burgos, Alonso Heredia, Jung Soo Suk, and Anthony J. Kim. "Rituximab-Conjugated DART Nanoformulation for CD20-Targeted Drug Delivery in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma." International Journal of Nanomedicine (2026): 625158. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2147/IJN.S625158

“To develop rituximab (RTX)-conjugated decreased nonspecific adhesivity receptor-targeted (DART) nanoparticles for CD20-targeted paclitaxel (PTX) delivery in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and evaluate their targeting, therapeutic activity, formulation stability, and immune-associated cellular responses. PTX-loaded PLGA-PEG nanoparticles were conjugated with RTX (RTX-DART/PTX) or control IgG (IgG-DART/PTX). Physicochemical properties and colloidal and frozen-storage stability were characterized. CD20-dependent cellular association and intracellular localization were evaluated in Raji lymphoma cells using flow cytometry, competitive blocking, and confocal microscopy. Cytotoxicity was assessed following short-term treatment and media replacement. Calreticulin (CRT) surface exposure and macrophage polarization-associated markers were evaluated in vitro. Anti-tumor efficacy was assessed in a systemic luciferase-expressing Raji xenograft model. RTX-DART/PTX exhibited a size near 100 nm, low polydispersity, near-neutral surface charge, and 7–8% PTX loading. DART nanoparticles maintained their colloidal properties in serum incubation for up to 72 hours, while frozen storage at −20°C in 10% sucrose for 3 weeks preserved physicochemical properties and biological activity. RTX-DART showed greater CD20-dependent cellular association and intracellular localization than IgG-DART and free RTX blocking reduced nanoparticle association. Under short-exposure conditions, RTX-DART/PTX produced greater cytotoxicity than free PTX and IgG-DART/PTX. RTX-DART/PTX also enhanced CRT surface exposure, while PTX-containing treatments altered macrophage polarization-associated markers and IGF1 secretion in vitro. In vivo, RTX-DART/PTX reduced systemic tumor bioluminescence and improved survival relative to PBS and IgG-DART/PTX. These findings support RTX-DART/PTX as a proof-of-concept CD20-targeted nanomedicine strategy for systemic NHL. Further validation in additional lymphoma models, immunocompetent or humanized systems, and pharmacokinetic and biodistribution studies is required.”

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PLGA from PolySciTech used in development of pH sensitive nanoparticles for cancer therapy

 

Researchers at The City University of New York, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and
Rudy Ruggles Research Institute used PLGA (AP081, https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AP081#h) from PolySciTech division of Akina, Inc. (www.PolySciTech.com) to develop decorated PLGA nanopartciles to deliver cisplatin to ovarian cancer. This research holds promise to treat this lethal disease. Read more: Dragulska, Sylwia A., Mina Poursharifi, Benjamin Lesea-Pringle, Maxier Acosta Santiago, Caleb Mayes, Ying Chen, Maria Padron-Rhenals et al. "pH-Dependent Surface Charge Modulation of Peptide-Coated Poly (lactic-co-glycolic Acid)(PLGA) Nanoparticle for Drug Delivery in Ovarian Cancer." Molecules 31, no. 17 (2026): 2953. https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/17/2953

“Abstract: The development of nanoparticle (NP)-based drug delivery systems that combine passive tumor targeting, physiological stability, and therapeutic efficacy remains a key challenge in cancer nanomedicine. Here, we report a pH-responsive peptide-functionalized poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) NP system designed for cancer targeting. The PLGA core is coated with a short glutamic acid–lysine–histidine–phenylalanine x3 (EKHFFF) peptide shell, enabling tunable surface charge modulation around its isoelectric point and promoting environmental responsiveness. Physicochemical characterization confirms spherical NPs (~70–75 nm) with good colloidal stability, serum compatibility, and ion-dependent stability in physiological conditions. The peptide coating also provides pH-dependent modulation of the zeta potential. Evaluation of the NPs in ovarian cancer (OvCA) models, including immortalized and patient-derived cell lines (PDCLs), demonstrates efficient uptake across OvCA cell lines, with significantly enhanced internalization in PDCLs compared to immortalized cells. The EKHFFF nanoparticle (EKHFFF NP) induced minimal reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide production in macrophages, indicating low immunogenicity and favorable biocompatibility. Upon platinum loading (EKHFFF-Pt NP), the system exhibits potent cytotoxicity in both platinum-sensitive and platinum-resistant OvCA cell lines, outperforming carboplatin and showing comparable or improved efficacy relative to cisplatin in several cell lines. In vivo studies further demonstrate preferential tumor accumulation, sustained intratumoral retention, and measurable systemic circulation with a half-life of approximately 35 min. Keywords: pH-sensitive; nanoparticles; PLGA; ovarian cancer; peptide coating; EPR”

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PLGA from PolySciTech used in research on drug-delivery to the trachea for treatment of stenosis

 

Laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) is characterized by abnormal wound healing that results in hypertrophic scarring and progressive narrowing of the airway. Researchers at University of Cincinnati used PLGA (AP049, https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AP049#h) from PolySciTech division of Akina, Inc. (www.PolySciTech.com) to develop a delivery system to treat stenosis. This research holds promise to provide treatment for this injury in the future. Read More: Cruz, Denzel Ryan D., Nour Awad, Nicholas Russell, Juliana El Sheikh, Logan Obermeyer, Peter J. Larson, Yoonjee C. Park, and Gregory R. Dion. "Evaluating the Local Response of a Novel Injectable Capsule for Drug Delivery in the Trachea." The Laryngoscope (2026). https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/lary.70821

“Innovative therapies are needed to improve the treatment of laryngotracheal stenosis. This study investigated the local tissue response of a novel injectable drug delivery platform in a leporine tracheal model. Dye-loaded polymer (empty) implants were delivered into the pretracheal tissue of three New Zealand White rabbits using an 18-gauge needle and custom applicator to simulate peritracheal delivery adjacent to tracheal stenosis. Three additional rabbits underwent tracheal injury via electrocauterization to serve as comparative injury controls, and three additional rabbits were included as no-implant, no-injury tracheal controls. Animals underwent laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy on Days 0 and 14 to evaluate the primary outcome of local airway safety after implant placement. Secondary outcomes included ultrasound implant localization, indentation mapping of tracheal wall structural stiffness, and histological assessment. Implant-treated tracheas (n = 3) maintained lumen patency and organized tissue architecture without visible stenosis or microscopic inflammation, whereas injured tracheas (n = 3) demonstrated luminal distortion and disorganized early remodeling. Implant location was confirmed by ultrasound. Indentation mapping showed lower mean anterior and posterior tracheal wall stiffness in implant-treated specimens (5.28 and 4.47 mN/mm, respectively) compared with injured specimens (37.38 and 11.20 mN/mm, respectively). Posterior mucosal thickness was also lower in implant-treated tracheas than injured tracheas (31.02 vs. 56.07 μm). Overall, the implants did not appreciably alter the native tracheal structure. This novel injectable platform was well tolerated in the pretracheal space and preserved native tracheal structure, supporting future studies of therapeutic-loaded implants for stenosis mitigation and treatment.”

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Custom-Made PEG-PLGA-PLL from PolySciTech used in development of nanoparticles for heart-disease treatment

 

Heart disease remains the number one cause of death amongst all diseases. Researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and East China University of Science and Technology used custom-made PEG-PLGA-PLL from PolySciTech division of Akina, Inc. (www.PolySciTech.com) in development of nanoparticles for targeting atherosclerosis plaque and inhibiting further development of oxidized low-density lipoprotein which contributes to plaque build-up. This research holds promise to treat heart disease in the future. Read more: Duan, Yi, Yijie Qiu, Yan Zhu, Quan Wang, Jiangtao Lin, Yourong Duan, Qi Wang, and Yi Dong. "Plaque‐Hepatic Targeting Nanotherapy Disrupts the PCSK9‐LOX‐1 Axis to Suppress oxLDL in Atherosclerosis." Advanced Science (2026): e77100. https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/advs.77100

“Atherosclerosis remains the leading cause of cardiovascular mortality, with elevated oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) as a key driver. oxLDL metabolism involves two critical steps: generation mediated by proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9)-induced LDLR degradation, and plaque uptake via lectin-like oxLDL receptor-1 (LOX-1). Current PCSK9 inhibitors reduce oxLDL production but show limited effects on plaque oxLDL uptake and inflammation. Thus, synergistic strategies targeting both steps are urgently needed. To address this, we developed a hepatic-plaque targeting nanoparticle, siPCSK9@PEAL NPs-aL, based on a PEG-PLGA-PLL framework. The nanoparticle was surface-functionalized with anti-LOX-1 antibody for plaque targeting. Concurrently, optimized particle size enabled hepatic accumulation while minimizing clearance by the reticuloendothelial system (RES), facilitating effective hepatic delivery of siPCSK9. The PLGA core allowed controlled siRNA release, and the cationic PLL layer promoted efficient condensation and protection. In vitro, this system effectively silenced PCSK9, downregulated LOX-1, rescued mitochondrial function and reduced apoptosis. In advanced atherosclerosis mice, weekly administration significantly reduced aortic plaque burden, stabilized plaque composition, and normalized serum lipid levels. Lipidomics showed oxLDL-associated lipid downregulation and metabolic networks remodeling. Taken together, this dual-targeting nanodrug integrates systemic lipid-lowering with local anti-inflammatory effects by simultaneously inhibiting oxLDL generation and utilization, offering a promising precision therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis.”

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