Straightforward Surgery Advances Drug Delivery To The Brain

Adopting an established endoscopic nasal grafting technique, researchers at Mass Eye and Ear have shown the ability to deliver a drug across the blood-brain barrier effectively and with reduced side effects. Their work could move rapidly into clinical testing in neurodegenerative diseases and could form the basis for delivering a wide range of existing drugs as well as new compounds whose development is predicated on use of the technique.

Adopting an endoscopic nasal grafting technique used in tumor excision and to plug leaks resulting from herniated tissue in the nose, a team led by Benjamin Bleier, MD, a surgeon at the Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, a part of Harvard Medical School, has shown the ability to deliver glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) across the blood-brain barrier effectively and with reduced side effects. Their work thus far has been in a mouse model. But it could move rapidly into clinical testing in neurodegenerative diseases given the already-established regulatory pathway for GDNF and the established nature of the skull-based surgery. Also, while GDNF may offer a practical route to proof-of-concept, the technique could form the basis for delivering a wide range of existing drugs as well as new compounds whose development is predicated on use of the technique.

For many years, clinicians have contemplated drug delivery to the brain by spraying compounds into the nose, based on the...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required

More from R&D

Atai Gives Up On Recognify’s Schizophrenia Drug After Phase IIb Miss

 
• By 

Set to merge with Beckley Psytech, Atai will focus on psychedelic candidates for treatment-resistant depression while Recognify will analyze Phase IIb data for possible next steps.

Celcuity Preps For Potentially Huge Market After Phase III Gedatolisib Win

 

The biotech announced positive results in the PIK3CA wild-type population in second-line HR+/HER2- breast cancer for its PAM inhibitor.

Roche Unveils Alzheimer’s Phase III Plan And Preclinical Study

 

The trontinemab Phase III study is due to get underway this year, with Roche confident its brainshuttle technology will help it surpass approved rivals.

Bayer’s Elinzanetant Is Latest Drug Hit By FDA Review Delays

 
• By 

Comes Days After PDUFA Pushback For GSK's Blenrep.

More from Scrip

EU 15% Tariff Deal Still Leaves Questions For Pharma

 

A single 15% tariff rate on imports from Europe includes pharmaceuticals, but it remains unclear if the trade deal will exclude generics or if Trump will offer a grace period.

Roche Unveils Alzheimer’s Phase III Plan And Preclinical Study

 

The trontinemab Phase III study is due to get underway this year, with Roche confident its brainshuttle technology will help it surpass approved rivals.

Bayer’s Elinzanetant Is Latest Drug Hit By FDA Review Delays

 
• By 

Comes Days After PDUFA Pushback For GSK's Blenrep.