Using green chemistry to deliver cutting-...(t they have to be wrapped up in plastic ...)

Many of these new proteins are fragile and are damaged by high temperatures and harsh solvents used in conventional processes. Our process works in CO2 at close to room temperatures so the molecule is not damaged by the mixing process, and we dont use normal solvents we dont have toxic residues left behind in the product and potentially ending up in the patient.

The plastics are solids but when they are put under high pressure from CO2, they turn into liquids they melt, and under these conditions, the bioactive drugs can be mixed in. So we take particles of the drug and wrap every single one up in biodegradable polymer, for injection under the skin.

Once injected, the polymer begins to degrade and the drug starts to be released and is picked up by the bloodstream but this is a gradual process, occurring over the course of several days or a week. This provides a controlled release of the drug prolonging the length of time over which active therapeutic is released at the delivery site.

The polymer used is a biodegradable plastic based on lactic acid, which is a natural compound produced in the body that the body is able to get rid of in the usual way. It is used in dissolvable stitches and has been used in the pharmaceutical industry in various guises for 30 years.

Compared to conventional methods for giving drugs to patients, controlled drug delivery via injection has many advantages including reduced dosing frequency and toxicity, improved efficiency and convenience and therefore increased patient compliance.

Professor Howdle added: Biodegradable polymers are particularly attractive for use in drug delivery, as once introduced into the body they require no retrieval or further manipulation and are degraded into soluble, non-toxic by-products. Different polymers degrade at different
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