What strategies can be used for the extended release of peptides for one month or more?

What strategies can be used for the extended release of peptides for one month or more?

Hydrogel, implant, and carrier technologies are all used to prolong the release of proteins and peptides. Injectable implant systems are designed to release drugs for weeks to months. The injection system may consist of a polymer-drug solution precipitated in vivo or a thermosensitive gel that transforms into a solid gel upon injection. Commonly used polymers include polylactic acid-glycolic acid copolymers, block copolymers of polylactic acid and polycaprolactone. The choice and molecular weight of the polymer can control the drug release and the duration of action of the implant. Notably, for proteins and peptides, the acidic degradation products of PLGA may lead to biological instability. An important issue for injection techniques and sustained release systems is the burst release of proteins or peptides. Burst release can be addressed by changing the formulation or polymer selection. For example, PLGA with carboxyl groups can prolong protein release. Encapsulation of drugs into micro and nanoparticles for sustained protein and peptide delivery has also been investigated. Particles can protect peptides or proteins from enzymatic degradation and increase their half-life; However, most of these systems have a pronounced burst release. One strategy to overcome this problem is to employ hybrid systems that embed nanoparticles in gels. For example, drugs containing PLGA nanoparticles are dispersed in an injectable hydrogel system to maintain drug release.

Aladdin offers a variety of chemically biodegradable and block copolymer options for sustained-release formulations.