Formulating biopharmaceuticals using three-dimensional printing.

Additive manufacturing, commonly referred to as three-dimensional (3D) printing, has the potential to initiate a paradigm shift in the field of medicine and drug delivery. Ever since the advent of the first-ever United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA)-approved 3D printed tablet, there has been an increased interest in the application of this technology in drug delivery and biomedical applications. 3D printing brings us one step closer to personalized medicine, hence rendering the "one size fits all" concept in drug dosing obsolete.

Design and development of pH-responsive polyurethane membranes for intravaginal release of nanomedicines.

The objective of this study was to develop and characterize a novel intravaginal membrane platform for pH-triggered release of nanoparticles (NPs), which is essential for efficient intravaginal delivery of certain effective but acid-labile therapeutic agents for sexually transmitted infections, such as small interfering RNA (siRNA). A pH-responsive polyurethane (PU) was electrospun into a porous nanofibrous membrane. The diameters of the fibers, as well as the thickness and pore sizes of the membrane under dry and wet conditions (pH 4.

Switchable On-Demand Release of a Nanocarrier from a Segmented Reservoir Type Intravaginal Ring Filled with a pH-Responsive Supramolecular Polyurethane Hydrogel.

To achieve a pH-responsive switchable on-demand release of nanoparticles (NPs) from intravaginal rings (IVR), a new pH-sensitive polyurethane (PU) bearing dimethylolpropionic acid (PEG-DMPA-HDI-PG) was synthesized to encapsulate NPs as a physically cross-linked hydrogel within a segmented reservoir-IVR. A new PEGylated polyaspartic acid-based copolymer conjugated with the fluorescent dye Orange II (PASP-PEG-Ph-Orange) was synthesized to self-assemble in aqueous solution into NPs (251-283 nm) for the release study. Chemical structures of the PEG-DMPA-HDI-PG and PASP-PEG-Ph-Orange were confirmed by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) andH nuclear magnetic resonance (H NMR) spectroscopy.

Self-assembled nanoparticles made from a new PEGylated poly(aspartic acid) graft copolymer for intravaginal delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs.

New amphiphilic PEGylated poly(aspartic acid) graft copolymer (PASP-PEG-Ph) was synthesized as a nanocarrier for intravaginal drug delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs. PASP-PEG-Ph self-assembled into negatively charged spherically shaped nanoparticles in the presence of pH 4.5 and pH 7.

Impact of Hydroxychloroquine-Loaded Polyurethane Intravaginal Rings on Lactobacilli.

The use of polymeric devices for controlled sustained delivery of drugs is a promising approach for the prevention of HIV-1 infection. Unfortunately, certain microbicides, when topically applied vaginally, may be cytotoxic to vaginal epithelial cells and the protective microflora present within the female genital tract. In this study, we evaluated the impact of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)-loaded, reservoir-type, polyurethane intravaginal rings (IVRs) on the growth of Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus jensenii and on the viability of vaginal and ectocervical epithelial cells.

Fungicidal activity of AKWATON and in vitro assessment of its toxic effects on animal cells.

Acquired superficial fungal infections are among the most common infections. It is necessary to create new effective and non-toxic disinfectants. AKWATON is a new disinfectant of the polymeric guanidine family.

Development of polyether urethane intravaginal rings for the sustained delivery of hydroxychloroquine.

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has been shown to demonstrate anti-inflammatory properties and direct anti-HIV activity. In this study, we describe for the first time the fabrication and in vitro evaluation of two types of intravaginal ring (IVR) devices (a surfaced-modified matrix IVR and a reservoir segmental IVR) for achieving sustained delivery (>14 days) of HCQ as a strategy for preventing male-to-female transmission of HIV. Both IVRs were fabricated by hot-melt injection molding.