Injectable Nanogel for Immune Modulation Therapy

Background:

Immune modulation therapy is a type of immunotherapy that enhances the body’s immune regulation and homeostasis. This therapy has proved promising for the treatment of some types of immune dysregulation. Unfortunately, the current therapy has thus far failed to consistently improve outcomes for patients where sepsis is present. The acute hyperinflammation in sepsis cause organ failure. Also, the prolonged immune-suppression in sepsis can leave patients vulnerable to secondary infection and death. This has driven a resurgence in the field of sepsis immune-regulation investigation. However, at present no effective immune modulation therapy, including antibody-based therapy or blood purification techniques, has demonstrated clinical benefit in reducing mortality rate of sepsis due to the complex and multiple dysregulated signaling pathways. 

Technology Overview:

This technology is a patented telodendrimer nanotrap platform for effective therapeutic delivery and immune modulation in sepsis therapy. This injectable biodegradable nanogel nanotrap can attenuate the broad-spectrum septic molecules with the size and charge selectivity for effective inflammation control. The biodegradable injectable size-exclusive nanogel (200-300 nm) can immobilize the telodendrimer nanotrap for systemic immune modulation therapy by scavenging inflammatory molecules. The biodegradable nanogel nanotrap can be injected into patient blood and distributed into tissue for effective and quick inflammation control in critical illness, including sepsis. In addition, therapeutic drug molecules (such as antibiotics) can be loaded in the nanogel to control both infection and inflammation for effective sepsis treatment.

Advantages:

•    Provides effective therapeutic delivery and immune modulation in critical illness treatment. 
•    Attenuates the broad-spectrum septic molecules with the size and charge selectivity for effective inflammation control. 
•    Can be injected into patient blood and distributed into tissue for effective and quick inflammation control in sepsis.

Applications:

The primary application for this technology is the development of immune modulation therapies for the treatment of sepsis and other critical illnesses.

Intellectual Property Summary:

Patent application filed 3/30/2023. Application No.: PCT/US23/16929

Stage of Development:

TRL 3 - Experimental proof of concept 
(see Functionalized Core–Shell Nanogel Scavenger for Immune Modulation Therapy in Sepsis - Ji - 2022 - Advanced Therapeutics - Wiley Online Library)

Licensing Status:

This technology is available for licensing.

Licensing Potential:

This technology would be of interest to anyone involved in the treatment of sepsis, including:
•    Pharmaceutical companies.
•    Hospitals.
•    Health care providers.
•    Medical research laboratories.