LEDGF Peptides Sustained Release Retinal Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for retinal degenerative diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa, face challenges due to inefficient drug delivery to the posterior segment of the eye, including static and dynamic barriers, systemic degradation, and complications from frequent intravitreal injections, necessitating a composition with enhanced stability and sustained delivery profiles.

Innovation Solution

Development of biologically active peptides of lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF) 1-326, produced in high quantity and purity, formulated with pharmaceutical carriers or bound to colloidal metal particles for nano-assemblies, providing sustained release and improved bioavailability, and administered via non-invasive routes to target protein aggregation-mediated diseases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If frequent intravitreal injections are administered to deliver drugs to the retina, then drug delivery effectiveness is improved, but patient compliance deteriorates and complications increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrug delivery effectivenessVSAvoidpatient compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-loading LEDGF peptides into sustained-release formulations (such as biodegradable microspheres, hydrogels, or implantable devices) before administration. This allows the drug to be delivered in advance and released gradually over time, eliminating the need for frequent repeat injections and thereby improving patient compliance while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuity of useful action through sustained-release formulations that continuously deliver LEDGF peptides to the retina over extended periods (weeks to months). This continuous release mechanism ensures consistent therapeutic levels are maintained without requiring repeated administrations, thus resolving the contradiction between delivery effectiveness and patient compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Ease of manufacture

If LEDGF peptide is purified using conventional methods, then production cost is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to poor purification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoidpurification quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing purification conditions such as pH, ionic strength, and temperature during LEDGF peptide purification. By carefully controlling these parameters, the invention achieves high purification quality (≥95% purity) while maintaining cost-effectiveness through streamlined purification protocols that avoid excessively complex multi-step processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials in the form of affinity chromatography resins or tagged peptide systems (e.g., His-tagged LEDGF combined with metal affinity resins) that enable high-purity purification in a single or few steps. This approach maintains manufacturing precision while controlling production costs by reducing the number of purification steps required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If topical route is used for drug administration, then invasiveness is reduced, but drug delivery effectiveness deteriorates due to barriers

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinvasivenessVSAvoiddrug delivery effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies flexible shells and thin films by using ocular inserts or contact lens-based delivery systems that conform to the eye surface. These flexible carriers can incorporate LEDGF peptides and provide sustained release directly at the target site, bypassing the need for invasive injections while overcoming barrier issues through direct contact with the cornea or conjunctiva for drug absorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses intermediary carriers such as ocular inserts, gels, or nanoparticle formulations that mediate drug delivery from the topical route to the retina. These intermediaries facilitate drug penetration through the cornea and other ocular barriers, enabling effective retinal delivery via non-invasive topical administration by acting as a bridge between the external environment and the target tissue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If intravenous route is used for drug administration, then ease of operation is improved, but drug delivery effectiveness deteriorates due to systemic degradation and low concentration at target site

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of administrationVSAvoiddrug delivery effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuity of useful action through sustained-release formulations administered via intravenous route that continuously release LEDGF peptides over time. This prolonged release mechanism compensates for the initial systemic dilution by maintaining therapeutic concentrations at the target site over extended periods, thereby improving delivery effectiveness while maintaining the ease of intravenous administration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses targeted delivery intermediaries such as ligand-conjugated nanoparticles or antibody-LEDGF fusion proteins that mediate specific transport of the peptide from the bloodstream to the retinal tissue. These intermediaries act as homing devices that guide the drug through the systemic circulation to the target site, overcoming dilution and off-target distribution issues while maintaining the simplicity of intravenous administration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2852399B1Ledgf peptides and formulations thereof for treatment of degenerative disorders
Publication Date: 2020.02.19 THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
  • EP2852399B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2852399B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2852399B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

LEDGF peptides with anti-protein aggregation activity and methods of use are provided. The LEDGF peptides disclosed herein demonstrate an ability to treat degenerative diseases and diseases with various cellular stresses including oxidative stress and protein-aggregation stress. In addition, extended release formulations, including formulations suitable for ophthalmic administration are provided.