Nemera Joins European Project to Develop Inhaled Nanoparticles for Heart Disease

CDMO Nemera announced its participation in the Cupido (Cardio Ultraefficient nanoParticles for Inhalation of Drug prOducts) project, which started in February 2017. The four-year project is funded by the European Union Horizon 2020 Framework Program and focuses on developing inhalable nanoparticles for cardiovascular diseases.

Available approaches that deliver drugs via the oral and intravenous routes have been associated with systemic side effects. During the end-stages of cardiovascular disease, drug administration can become more invasive, requiring the use of catheters or implantable pumps. Cupido was launched in response to the urgent need for patient-friendly therapeutic strategies that are more heart-specific, safe, and efficient.    

Nanoparticles have the potential to revolutionize the treatment of cardiovascular diseases by facilitating drug delivery that is non-invasive and heart-specific. The Cupido consortium is working to develop biocompatible and biodegradable nanoparticles that can self-assemble and encapsulate drugs (novel or available) in a suitable format. Once inhaled, the nanoparticles will translocate through the lungs and upon reaching the heart, the drug will be released. Chemical and magnetic guidance will be used to ensure heart specificity. This approach reduces the chances of adverse side effects as well as lowers the amount of therapeutic compound required.

Nemera’s role will be to develop devices for the administration of the nanoparticles by inhalation to the heart.

Source: Nemera