Modular Synthetic Platform to Tailor Therapeutic-Specific Delivery in Injectable Hydrogels

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Injectable thermoresponsive hydrogels (thermogels) are valuable for in situ forming implants in drug delivery and regenerative medicine.
• Their sol-to-gel transition at body temperature influences drug release kinetics and cell fate.
• Current synthetic methods often restrict matrix-agent interactions, limiting therapeutic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a modular synthetic platform for creating functionalized polyurethane thermogels.
• To enable customization of gelation properties and intermolecular interactions for tailored drug delivery.
• To investigate the impact of tunable thermogel properties on drug release profiles.

Main Methods:

• Developed a modular synthetic platform for polyurethane thermogels.
• Functionalized thermogels to control stiffness, ionic interactions, hydrophobicity, and hydrogen bonding.
• Evaluated drug release kinetics for low and high molecular weight analogs using these tunable thermogels.

Main Results:

• Achieved sustained and controlled drug release ranging from days to over 6 months.
• Demonstrated varied release profiles (monophasic, biphasic, triphasic) based on thermogel-agent compatibility.
• Established design rules for developing drug-specific formulations with precise release modulation.

Conclusions:

• The developed platform allows for customizable injectable drug depots with tunable properties.
• This strategy facilitates precise, sustained, and modulated drug release tailored to therapeutic needs.
• Lays groundwork for multi-stimuli-responsive thermogels with enhanced bioactivity for advanced therapeutic systems.