Biodrug Delivery Mechanism Via Yeast Encapsulation

BACKGROUND A research project in in the Faculty of Life Sciences at the University of Manchester has led to the development of a novel yeast-based drug delivery mechanism. THE TECHNOLOGY A genetically engineered yeast strain, able to express recombinant protein drugs / vaccines and incorporating a genetic switch to trigger cell lysis in response to specific conditions has been developed. The key concept is the passage of intact yeast cells through the stomach, and their subsequent lysis in the intestine to facilitate the release of recombinant proteins at the intestinal mucosa. KEY BENEFITS
• An advance on enteric coated/controlled release formulations
• Opens up new opportunities in peptide therapeutics
• Relatively easy-to-scale “Biodrug” technology
• Potential to combine protein expression and drug delivery in a single ‘vehicle’
• Yeasts are commonly used for the production of bread, beer and wine and have good human safety profiles
• Ability to target the intestinal mucosa, which are rich in lymphoid-associated tissues capable of transporting antigens to immuno-stimulating cells POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS
• An ‘edible vaccine’: oral delivery of vaccine products that would otherwise be destroyed in the luminal environment
• Drug delivery: effective oral delivery of a wide range of macromolecular pharmaceuticals such as recombinant proteins / glycoproteins e.g. goserilin

PATENT STATUS US and UK patent OPPORTUNITY Of interest to Pharma, Biotech and Drug Delivery Companies in the field of biotherapeutics including peptides.

Type of Offer: Licensing



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