Iyer, Shwetha and Lee, Cameron (2025) Formulation and Characterization of Bevacizumab Encapsulated Poly (D, L-Lactide-co-glycolide) and Polycaprolactone microspheres. Drug delivery and translational research..

Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of central vision loss in the elderly population. Bevacizumab, a full-length humanized monoclonal anti-VEGF antibody, is commonly used off-label drug to treat AMD. However, the dosing regimen of bevacizumab and other anti-VEGF antibodies requires monthly intravitreal injections followed by regular intravitreal injections at 4–16-week intervals. In 2021, the FDA approved an innovative port delivery system of ranibizumab (Susvimo®) that can be implanted intravitreally to slowly release the active ingredient anti-VEGF antibody and reduce injection frequency to once every 6 months. An approach utilizing polymeric slow-release microspheres encapsulating a full-length antibody, such as bevacizumab, would be much more patient-friendly because it could be injected intravitreally, avoiding surgical implantation. While microsphere encapsulation is traditionally successful for small molecule hydrophobic drugs, we assessed two different polymers, namely Poly (D, L-Lactide-co-glycolide) [ PLGA] and Polycaprolactone [ PCL] and discovered the benefits of utilizing a slow degrading hydrophobic polymer such as PCL. Using traditional double emulsion fabrication techniques with PCL polymer, we could produce microspheres that encapsulate the full-length antibody bevacizumab, and in spite of the harsh fabrication conditions we demonstrate release of biologically active therapeutic agent over a period of 60 days.

Item Type:	Article
Date Deposited:	11 Feb 2025 00:45
Last Modified:	11 Feb 2025 00:45
URI:	https://oak.novartis.com/id/eprint/55015