DelSiTech is an upcoming company based in Finland that focuses on producing microparticles that can control the release of various molecules. Marcus Reay, Director of Business Development at DelSiTech explained that silica is effectively inert, giving scientists the ability to apply this technology to sensitive entities such as mRNA and biologics. Reay said: “We see a clear shift in finding the most value for silica as a drug delivery technology within the scope of biologics.”
At DelSiTech, approximately 70% of their work revolves around peptides. Instead of producing a microparticle and then loading a protein into it, the silica microparticle is built around the protein. Once the microparticle has been produced, it is combined with a silica hydrogel to create an irreversible silica-silica composite which is important for injectability and stability. Reay noted that the main advantage of this technology is that it can control the release of biologic of choice to various routes of administration.
Silica forms short cyclic chains rather than long ones, these chains aggregate into nanostructures that are efficient at entrapping molecules. When the protein is introduced to the nanostructures it becomes entrapped in the silica chains. The solution is then spray-dried to produce a dry solid silica microparticle containing the protein of a D50 value of three to seven microns. The silica composite is a non-flowing gel.
Upon administration (when the plunger is pushed) the gel becomes a thin liquid that flows through the thin gauge needles. After administration, the gel structure reforms, creating an unbreakable depot in the tissue. Reay explained that the silica is released by dissolving into water and the solubility of the silica containing the protein is monitored during the chemistry stage. Scientists can decide if it dissolves quickly or slowly and use this to create an in vivo profile from an in vitro one.
For instance, a CD40L antibody formulation for six months by subcutaneous administration showed a stable release profile. Additionally, the system is designed to be cost-effective, making it suitable for addressing global health challenges. Safety and tolerability were demonstrated through ocular application studies, showing no significant inflammatory response or tissue damage.
Overall, Reay showcased DelSiTech's biodegradable silica matrix technology as a versatile and reliable platform for revolutionising long-acting biologic therapies across multiple therapeutic areas. This unique approach to controlled release is a promising solution for enhancing drug efficacy.
