“Most medications targeting optic neuropathies are administered as eye drops. However, their corneal penetration efficiencies are typically < 5%.
There is a clear, unmet need for novel transcorneal drug delivery vehicles. To this end, we have developed a stimulus-responsive, in situ-forming, nanoparticle-laden hydrogel for controlled release of poorly bioavailable drugs into the aqueous humor of the eye.
We subsequently tested the efficacy of our formulation in whole-eye experiments by loading the nanoparticles with cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). Our formulation exhibits over a 300% increase in transcorneal penetration over control formulations.
We have successfully developed a stimulus-responsive, in situ-forming, nanoparticle-laden hydrogel for controlled release of poorly bioavailable drugs such as cannabinoids into the aqueous humor of the eye.
Our therapeutic strategy leverages the proven potential of cannabinoids to confer neuroprotection to ganglion cells.
This work paves the way for the introduction of novel products targeting ocular diseases to the market.”