Injectable Hydrogel System Designed to Prolong Joint Retention in Osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND:

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of chronic pain and disability worldwide. Current intra-articular standards of care, such as analgesics, corticosteroids, and viscosupplements, provide only transient symptomatic relief and do not reliably modify disease progression. A major translational barrier is the rapid clearance of small-molecule drugs and biologics from synovial fluid, as well as the difficulty of delivering hydrophobic compounds at therapeutic concentrations without systemic exposure.

TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW:

This University at Buffalo technology is an injectable hydrogel platform that enables sustained local delivery of therapeutics for osteoarthritis. Following a single minimally invasive injection, the formulation rapidly transitions from a liquid to a lubricious semi-solid depot at body temperature, enabling localized drug release over multiple weeks. The biocompatible platform combines a polymer matrix with drug-loaded nanocarriers engineered for high loading of poorly soluble therapeutics using materials with prior regulatory acceptance to support clinical translation. Therapeutic agents are released through diffusion and matrix relaxation, providing controlled local exposure. Validated with a SIRT6 activator, the platform is readily adaptable to other hydrophobic disease-modifying agents.

ADVANTAGES:

• Extended Therapeutic Window: Prolonged local delivery and retention while minimizing the frequency of invasive injections and the risk of systemic side effects
• Disease-Modifying Potential: Specifically designed to deliver agents that target the biological drivers of OA, including chronic inflammation and cellular senescence
• Synergistic Dual Action: Serves as both a sustained-release vehicle and a viscosupplement, with potential to restore joint lubrication while treating the underlying disease
• Broad Therapeutic Compatibility: Supports delivery of poorly soluble compounds in aqueous solution with high drug-loading capacity
• Platform Versatility: Adaptable to multiple joint applications and therapeutic payloads

APPLICATIONS:

• Primary Indication: Knee osteoarthritis (large addressable market)
• Secondary Indications: Post-traumatic OA, intervertebral disc degeneration, rotator cuff degeneration, and localized delivery of hydrophobic candidates

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SUMMARY:

Patent pending.

STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT

Preclinical TRL 3-4

LICENSING STATUS:

Available for licensing or co-development.