Recombinant polymer sensitive to solid tumor microenvironments for drug, nucleic acid and virus delivery as well as tissue engineering.

Effects of systemic administration of therapies, such as chemotherapeutics, can result in off-target side effects, including immunotoxic and hemolytic side effects to achieve its cytotoxic activity.

The Invention described herein is a material which is synthesized by recombinant methods, and has been engineered to be responsive to matrix metalloproteases. The recombinant synthesis method offers the advantage of high repeatability, control, and fidelity of synthesis, along with the ability to precisely engineer the MMP-responsiveness of the material and modify this characteristic rapidly. The material has been shown previously to be an effective drug and gene delivery material, and the ability to respond specifically to MMPs allows it to react real-time to disease enviromnents in situ, likely improving its efficacy. The potential applications of this material are quite far-reaching, including many types of cancer and localized inflarmnatory diseases, where MMP-responsive release of a drug, gene product, or other molecular material would be considered advantageous.

Pre-Clinical Validation

• Potential of localized delivery of active bioagents to tumors as well as chronic wounds.
• Synthesis method offers high reliability, control and fidelity

Gustafson, Joshua A et al. Biomacromolecules vol. 14,3 (2013): 618-25. doi:10.1021/bm3013692

Isaacson KJ, Jensen MM, Steinhauff DB, et al. J Drug Target. 2020;28(7-8):766-779. doi:10.1080/1061186X.2020.1757099

Publication Number: 2861732
Patent Title: Matrix Metalloproteinase Cleavable Protein Polymers for Cancer Gene Therapy
Jurisdiction/Country: European Patent Office (EPO)
Application Type: Non-Provisional

Aaron Duffy
(801) 585-1377
aaron.duffy@utah.edu