Investigating the Formulation and Implication of Topical Delivery as a Replacement for Subcutaneous Injections

This project aims to harness the immense potential of cell penetrating peptides to formulate a new generation of therapeutics for topical delivery. The efficacy of these formulations will be evaluated in vivo using C. elegans.

Non-adherence to injection regimens contributes to increased complication rates including raising the financial burden on the NHS by increasing hospital inpatient numbers.

For many patients having to administer self-injections it is a traumatic experience, which produces a great deal of anxiety as well as local side effects including inflammation, pain and swelling.

For inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease which are treated using proteins, which are not stable to passage through the GI tract, the only other viable option is patient administered subcutaneous injection.

In order to overcome anxiety and side effects of repeated subcutaneous injections for Crohn's disease this PhD will develop formulations that can deliver therapeutics using topical formulations, negating the need for these injections.