Researchers from the Medical University of Gdańsk have developed a scalable technology that could enable a new generation of antibiotic eye drops to be introduced into healthcare. The project was funded by the Medical Research Agency with more than PLN 8 million from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
Cefuroxime and vancomycin are antibiotics used to treat serious eye infections. Until now, it has been difficult to develop long-lasting eye drops containing these antibiotics because they quickly lose their effectiveness when mixed with water.
Scientists from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Medical University of Gdańsk have addressed this problem by developing eye drops based on a special oil-based delivery system.
The technology developed by the team uses self-emulsifying oils (SEOs), a mixture of oil and an emulsifier. Upon contact with tears, they form a non-irritating, vision-friendly emulsion that rapidly releases the antibiotic.
Before use, the bottle simply needs to be shaken briefly, after which the product spreads easily across the surface of the eye. Studies have confirmed its good tolerability.
The innovation uses SEOs to protect the active substances from losing their properties. This allows them to remain stable during storage, retain their effectiveness for longer and be provided as a ready-to-use product.
In the new formulation, the antibiotic is stored in a water-free carrier that preserves its properties. After instillation and contact with natural tears, the antibiotic dissolves, while the carrier spreads evenly across the surface of the eye without affecting vision.
Funding from the Medical Research Agency allowed the scientists to translate their research findings into a technology ready for commercialisation.
Animal studies confirmed that the drops retain their properties during long-term storage and are suitable for large-scale production.
The researchers refined the production process, selected appropriate packaging and a dropper, and developed quality-control methods and the documentation necessary for further product development and market launch, including registration documentation. Patients will be able to use the new formulation following positive clinical trial results.
The project, “Antibiotics in an innovative form of eye drops – guaranteed stability and prolonged action,” was led by Prof. Małgorzata Sznitowska from the Department of Applied Pharmacy at the Medical University of Gdańsk. Other researchers responsible for specific areas of the research included Prof. Tomasz Bączek, Dr Anna Roszkowska, Dr Marzena Jamrógiewicz and Dr Katarzyna Krzemińska.
The new technology can be used not only for eye drops containing cefuroxime and vancomycin, but also with other substances that quickly lose their properties when exposed to water.
Its innovative nature is supported by patents granted in Poland and Europe.
Source
https://abm.gov.pl/pl/aktualnosci/3618,Przelomowa-postac-kropli-do-oczu-z-antybiotykami.html
The research team. From left: Dr. Anna Roszkowska, Dr. Marzena Jamrógiewicz, Prof. Dr. Małgorzata Sznitowska, Dr. Katarzyna Krzemińska. Photo: GUMed
