The blood brain barrier (BBB) is composed of brain microvascular endothelial cells connected to each other with tight junction molecules thereby making the barrier impermeable to toxins, bacteria, viruses, and other unwanted substance from blood. This characteristic feature of the BBB along with efflux pumping prevents the delivery of therapeutic agents to treat brain diseases. Drug delivery across the BBB has been a significant challenge for administering central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics. Our inventor has identified a BBB specific receptor and a group at the California Institute of Technology has identified a ligand that binds specifically this receptor. This ligand can be conjugated to ananoparticle (as drug carrier) to deliver drugs or other payloads through the BBB to treat CNS disorders. The Caltech nanoparticles alone are being tested in Phase II clinical trials. Preclinical research testing the conjugated nanoparticles to this specific ligand is currently underway.

File Number: 2009-011 

Web site: http://www.chla.org/site/c.ipINKTOAJsG/b.357948...

Disease: Central Nervous System

Other Information:

Development Stage:

In vitro data