Design and Development of Long acting Formulation for the Treatment of Posterior Segment Eye Diseases

Abstract

newline Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic eye ailment characterized by gradual newlineloss of central vision. Currently, intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF agents are used to manage newlineAMD. However, these injections only halt the progression of the disease. Furthermore, the newlinecurrently available anti-VEGF agents in the market exhibit a short half-life and hence require newlinefrequent administration. Sustained delivery of anti-VEGF agents remains a challenge to deliver newlineacross anatomic locations. Innovations in nanotechnology, implantable devices, and newlineformulation strategies hold promise for overcoming these challenges and improving the newlineefficacy of anti-VEGF agents. Polymeric implants with high drug loading capacity can provide newlinesustained delivery of anti-VEGF agents without any complications. Thus, in the present study, newlinean attempt has been made to develop a technique for fabricating cylindrical biodegradable newlineimplants which can deliver anti-VEGF agents over 12 months. Small molecule i.e. carotenoid newlinebased implants was also developed and characterized in the present study for AMD. newlineElectrospinning has proven to be highly effective in producing small cylindrical tubes, thus newlinemakes it as an ideal method for implant production. In this study, it was used to create implants newlinethat could be loaded with anti-VEGF agents while still being compatible with a 21 G needle newlineadministration. A multi-faceted approach was employed for the development of implants, newlineintegrating the techniques of electrospinning, sintering, and salt leaching. Bevacizumab was newlineselected as a model anti-VEGF agent in the present study with aim to reduce administration newlinefrequency of intravitreal injections. The FDA-approved polymer Poly(caprolactone) was newlineemployed for the fabrication of implants. Furthermore, the developed cylindrical implant was newlineoptimized for polymer concentration, anti-VEGF concentration, electrospinning, sintering, salt newlineleaching parameters and characterized for salt leaching, biodegradation, FTIR, DSC, FE-SEM, newlinetensile strength, and GPC ana