Keywords: Biomaterials, Biotechnology, Drug Discovery, Disease Treatment
Market Overview
Nerve injuries occur when a nerve is damaged or compressed, leading to a disruption in its function. Peripheral nerve injuries are located at nerves that connect the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body and include carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar nerve compression, and sciatica. There are estimated 50,000 peripheral nerve injuries expected to occur in the US each year. The peripheral nerve injury market in the US was valued at $284.3M in 2021 with expected CAGR of 7.3% through 2030. Traditionally, nerve injuries are treated though surgeries, such as surgical reattachment of nerves or placement of a nerve graft to guide nerve growth, and invasive injections. Therefore, there is a need to development therapies for nerve injuries through less invasive techniques. A Clemson University researcher has developed nanoparticle vesicles that can deliver drugs using non-invasive routes of administrations for the treatment of nerve injuries. These nanoparticles are conjugated with a peptide to increase nerve penetration.
Applications:
Nerve injury treatment, Nanoparticles
Technical Summary:
The proposed nanoparticles are polymersomes that are labeled with the rabies virus glycoprotein peptide (RVG). The addition of RVG induces the association of the polymersomes with proteins expressed on nerve cells, increasing nerve retention. These polymersomes were shown to have nerve-penetration capabilities when delivered intranerve or intramuscular, a less invasive route.
Advantages:
- Non-invasive – Successful nerve penetration through less invasive administration routes
- Tunable – Polymersomes can load multiple payloads and have tunable properties
- Versatile– Could be used in place of surgery or for patients who do not want to undergo surgery for nerve injuries
Technology Overview
State of Development
Proof of Concept
Category
CURF Reference No.
2024-061
Inventors
Dr. Jessica Larsen
For More Info, Contact:
Pushparajah Thavarajah
Business Development Associate
E: pthavar@clemson.edu
P: (864) 656-0797
Contact
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