Background and Research Interests |
The phrase "Polymer Therapeutics" was coined to describe the family of compounds and drug delivery technologies which use water soluble polymers as polymeric drugs or components of polymer-drug conjugates, polymer-protein conjugates, non-viral vectors for intracytoplasmic delivery and polymeric micelles. To design effective polymer therapeutics it is necessary to combine leading edge polymer chemistry with pharmaceutics and not least an understanding of macromolecular processing at the level of the whole organism and the cell.
In October 2000 the Centre for Polymer Therapeutics (CPT) relocated to purpose-built facilities at the Welsh School of Pharmacy. The Welsh School of Pharmacy provides opportunities for collaborations with the Tenovus Cancer Research Group, the Medicinal Chemistry Groups and other colleagues in Drug Delivery where polymer synthesis for molecular imprinting (Dr K Brain) and study of caveolae-mediated endocytosis for drug and gene delivery (Dr Mark Gumbleton) is ongoing.
Historically research undertaken in the group has led to transfer of the first polymer-anticancer conjugates and the first polymeric imaging agents into Phase I/II clinical trials. Current research programmes are focusing on :
1. Novel polymeric carriers Biodegradable polymers e.g. dextrin and polyacetals Hyperbranched polymers eg. Dendrimers Polymers of well defined structure Supramolecular and self assembling systems
2. Polymeric anticancer agents New clinical candidates e.g. polymer-platinates, polymer-natural products Mechanism of action eg. EPR effect and linker design Polymeric imaging agents eg. gamma camera & PET
3. Polymeric Antiviral and Anti-Inflammatory Agents Targeting antiviral drugs Targeting arthritis Polymer- protein conjugates
4. Overcoming biological barriers Non viral vectors for intracytoplasmic delivery Overcoming the P-glycoprotein barrier in the GI
5. Intracellular trafficking Dr Arwyn T. Jones
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