Codelivery of drugs
Codelivery of drugs

Codelivery of drugs

We developed a hydrogel-based adhesive that can locally release drugs in a controlled manner, directly at the tumour site

Periode
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Looptijd
36 months
Deel van call / Programma
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Projectpartners
Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht
Sentry X

In CODED, researchers from UMC Utrecht, Nanocell Therapeutics, and Nanovation Therapeutics developed a novel hydrogel “glue” that sticks to tissue and releases medicines over time. This smart material can be loaded with anti-cancer drugs and applied directly to the tumour site, improving treatment precision and reducing side effects. Traditional cancer treatments often circulate throughout the entire body, which can cause damage to healthy tissues. The hydrogel developed in this project helps solve that by delivering therapy right where it's needed. 

The glue was tested with commonly used cancer drugs like dexamethasone and paclitaxel, showing sustained release from the gel for several days. Multiple chemical variants were made and characterised, and even though some of their behaviours were unexpected, they revealed new insights into drug-material interactions. This opens the door for future applications, including combination with cell therapies or gene therapies for more advanced treatments. 

The project also led to a patent application and follow-up studies with clinical and industrial partners. By focusing on local delivery, CODED supports the mission of providing better cancer care with fewer side effects and more personalised treatment options. 

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