Novel drug delivery routes mediated via nanotechnology; targeting allergy vaccination

Important results from the project

The objective of the project was to develop novel targeted delivery systems based on transdermal, oral or nasal routes for allergen specific immunotherapy (ASIT). The specific aims were to evaluate and optimize ASIT following delivery into the skin of allergens and to develop technologies for sublingual or nasal treatment. Both the sublingual and nasal routes turned out to be technically difficult and thus dermal route was tested in the project. This resulted in several publications and one patent application.

Expected long term effects

The project has delivered scientific publications and patent applications. The project has also evaluated a new method to penetrate skin and tested it in animal studies (a sort of ´laser drilling´). In addition, two new nano-materials and methods to streamline the delivery of allergens initiallt verified (one of them has been claimed in a patent): 1. formation of aggregates and 2. resorbable nanoporous carriers. It is expected that both the delivery method and materials can be used clinically in the future.

Approach and implementation

The project has been focused and structured in work packages representing steps in a reseach value chain spanning from; development of carriers based on nanotechnology, vaccin development, in vitro and in vivo evaluation. The project has been running without major difficulties, one challenge has been to find a suitable method to penetrate the skin for dermal delivery of vaccins. This was solved via using the ´laser drill´ method. The project set-up with well defined wokr packages has resulted in a very good collaboration between the partners.