POLYMER NANOMEDICINE: ENHANCING THE TRANSLATION FROM THE LAB TO THE CLINIC

There is a necessity to speed up the process of design, optimization and evaluation of formulation for biomedical applications. Such a process is even more crucial when it comes to the engineering novel nanometer-sized particles that can deliver therapeutic agents across the different barrier targeting only the damaged sites. Today such effort collectively known as Nanomedicine, is revolutionizing traditional therapy and enabling completely new therapeutic and diagnostic approaches. Nanomedicine is a multifaceted discipline that involves physicists, chemists, engineers, biologists and clinicians. This interdisciplinary nature is possibly nanomedicine greatest strength and greatest weakness at the same time. Indeed while this allows a more complete understanding of the different physico-chemical aspects as well as the biological implications, often the methodologies and the approaches are substantially different across the different disciplines hindering the validation and the fast translation of the final results. Herein we propose a rigorous approach of synthesis and pre-clincial evaluation of many nanoparticles for the delivery of theraupetic genetic materials. These will be screened developing and employing state-of-the-art biological evaluations adapted for nanoparticles. We plan to screen for thousands of formulation and aiming to identify few that will have a tremendous impact in both cancer therapy and motoneuron-degenerative disorders.

In this proposal we aim to interface Chemistry and Bioengineering with Clinical Neuroscience and Oncology. This will allow the bridging of novel scientific discoveries into genuine medical applications through rigorous engineering characterisation. This is undoubtedly a very challenging and strategic project. If our ambitious objectives can be achieved, it would be very valuable in validating a novel biomedical delivery system for clinical studies with the potential to treat several neurological disorders. More importantly, we will benchmark the biological high-throughput evaluation of nanoparticles so as to accelerate future developments and hence assist translation from cutting-edge physical science to clinical applications. We intend to engage at an early stage with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in order to facilitate this vision. MA and NB have extensive experience of taking new therapies through to the clinic. Any patentable work arising from this project will be protected and developed through the University's chosen commercialisation partner, Fusion IP. Furthermore, the existing strong collaboration with Biocompatibles is expected to facilitate eventual commercialisation. Appropriate contractual arrangements will be put in place to ensure that the technology can be exploited in a way that maximises its impact across the UK. The University has a network of specialist Corporate Industrial advisors and knowledge transfer specialists who can help in taking this technology through to market.