Evaluation of polyelectrolyte multilayer thin-film coated microneedle arrays for transcutaneous vaccine delivery

The skin is an ideal organ for the safe and convenient delivery of vaccines, small molecules, and other biologics. Members of the Irvine and Hammond groups have developed a polyelectrolyte multilayer thin film-coated microneedle platform that can achieve simultaneous DNA and nanoparticle delivery. This delivery platform has the advantage of direct delivery of DNA or polymer nanoparticles to immune-active cells at the interface between the dermis and epidermis, enhancing uptake of the delivered cargo by resident immune cells. Ideal for the delivery of DNA vaccines, this platform aims to bridge the gap in the lack of efficient delivery platforms hampering the effectiveness of DNA vaccines. The ability to co-deliver polymer nanoparticles can serve as a conduit for delivering immune stimulating adjuvants or other drugs for therapeutic applications. An overview of current vaccine and delivery system research is presented. Market factors for the commercialization of the polyelectrolyte multilayer thin film-coated microneedle delivery platform are considered along with the risk factors in bringing this invention to market. An assessment of the intellectual property surrounding the platform is performed and a preliminary market entry strategy is developed for minimizing the risks commercialization.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Fung, Peter W. (Peter Waitak)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Darrell J. Irvine.

• Materials Science and Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/69787

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/69787