H2020Individual fellowship2019–2022

INMARE · Injectable hydrogels for magnetically-activated, remote-controlled drug delivery

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2019-01-22 → 2022-01-21
EU contribution
€239,191
Participants
2
Scheme
MSCA-IF

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Injectable hydrogels for magnetically-activated, remote-controlled drug delivery

The problem being addressed is that the delivery of drugs is not controlled in current drug delivery systems, creating non-desired spikes in vaccines or drugs dosing. This is important for society because if we would be able to understand the physics behind the diffusion in the delivery of drugs, and thus improve the delivery of vaccines or drugs by sustaining the dosing, vaccinations and medical treatment of patients will be more effective. The overall objectives of this project are to understand the physics behind drug diffusion and to create biomaterials for sustained drug delivery. Regarding the conclusions of the action, the key goals of the INMARE project were successfully achieved: a) A strong a through training of myself in the science, technology and industrial applications of magnetic nanomaterials and drug delivery systems at Stanford University and the host group at University of the Basque Country. b) I designed, fabricated and developed advanced drug delivery systems. In addition to that, I contributed substantially to the understanding of the Physics behind diffusion in these type of drug delivery systems, by formulating the most accurate predictive model for solute diffusion in hydrogels to date.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

The key goals of the INMARE project are: a) the training of a talented and experienced researcher, Dr Eneko Axpe, in the science, technology and industrial application of magnetic nanomaterials and drug delivery systems. The host and partners have critical knowledge and expertise in these fast growing fields. And b) the design, fabrication and (further) development of a minimally invasive, externally triggered, on demand drug delivery system. This interdisciplinary training program includes fabrication and full characterization of injectable nanocomposites, development of physical models of the drug diffusion in hydrogels, and application of AC magnetic fields for drug delivery. Such a program will support the talented researcher, who has already gained expertise in the area of nanomaterials for biomedical applications during his postgraduate career, in his endeavour to increase his exposure to both academic and industrial collaborations. To further his career in biomaterials, Dr Eneko Axpe envisions pursuing an extensive study of smart materials and their in vivo applications, fields which the partner at Stanford University and the host group at UPV/EHU have a world-recognized expertise in. Additionally, through a secondment at AstraZeneca, his industrial co-partner, he will receive further training in pharmacokinetics and the commercial applications of health products. The applications of this project are vast, ranging from medical treatments of chronic diseases such as cancer, to a basic understanding of the physics behind drug diffusion, which attest to its interdisciplinarity and high impact. Moreover, it will provide Dr Eneko Axpe with the opportunity to increase his supervision and teaching experience, gain project and intellectual property management expertise, research funding and proposal writing skills. Multidisciplinary activities will assist the experienced researcher in acquiring necessary competences and reaching professional maturity.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • UNIVERSIDAD DEL PAIS VASCO/ EUSKAL HERRIKO UNIBERTSITATEA · LeioaCoordinatorSpain
  • BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY · STANFORDUnited States

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union