Small Molecule Delivery

Keratin Hydrogel as a Small Molecule Delivery Vehicle

Local, tissue-specific small molecule delivery is a growing need for many therapeutic and regenerative medicine strategies. Unfortunately, the majority of current biomaterial delivery vehicles are unable to provide desirable release kinetics, formulation options, degradation profiles, and/or biocompatibility characteristics necessary for successful small molecule delivery. KeraNetics™ is developing an ideal solution to these problems with a system that resists enzymatic degradation and that can be formulated into a wide variety of carrier options with varying viscoelastic properties. These formulations can also be tailored to provide short- or long-term release profiles for a wide range of small molecule chemistries.

Topical Delivery of Antibiotics in Infected Wounds

Wounds infected with resistant bacteria are a growing problem. KeraNetics™ is developing a next generation advanced wound care product that provides topical antibiotic delivery for prevention and treatment of infected wounds. Pre-clinical studies show that KeraNetics™ controlled released delivery system with keratin plus various chemical anitbodies, including ciprofloxacin and neomycin, can control the growth of MRSA.

Topical Delivery of Opiates for Pain Management in Wounds

The systemic use of opiates to control pain with resulting addiction is a nationwide problem. KeraNetics™ has in its R&D pipeline a next generation topical pain management product for advance wound care. Pre-clinical studies show that keratin plus opiates reduce pain non-systemically.

Relevant Publications

Ciprofloxacin-loaded keratin hydrogels reduce infection and support healing in a porcine partial-thickness thermal burn Ciprofloxacin-Loaded Keratin Hydrogels Prevent Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection and Support Healing in a Porcine Full-Thickness Excisional Wound