Summary from Oxford’s Isis Innovation:
Background
Dr Mark Kendall was a key member of the Oxford team responsible for developing ballistic delivery techniques for DNA vaccines; the so-called "gene gun" approach. He and his team have now developed a novel transdermal delivery system – the nanoprojection array. This device is able to deliver large molecules (e.g. DNA, RNA, proteins) directly into cells, and even into specific sites within cells, whilst avoiding the cellular damage associated with other drug delivery methods.
Opportunity
A major stumbling block to the full utilisation of improved treatment strategies of major diseases is the limited ability to deliver genes and drugs to the required sites in the body, particularly the skin.
Currently, the specific market share of transdermal drug delivery is US$15 billion and is expected to double in the next 5 years. In addition, this platform technology, if proven, will also provide an effective, inexpensive method of delivering biological agents such as vaccines. Key economic requirements for new vaccine delivery technologies include rapid formulation, low cost of manufacture and ease of administration, all of which could be met by the nanoprojection array.
The Oxford Invention
The technology uses nanoprojection arrays with thousands of drug-coated projections delivering agents to organelles directly within skin cells. The final product is envisaged as a patch of approximately 1cm2 and is likely to be both pain-free and easy to use. In the context of DNA vaccination, gene therapy, and delivery of immunotherapeutics, the nanoprojection patches are theoretically three orders of magnitude more efficient in delivering DNA than existing delivery methods.
Commercialisation Opportunity
This technology is subject to a patent application and Isis wishes to explore potential commercial collaboration/investment opportunities which will enable production and preclinical validation of more advanced prototypes.
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