Very excited to have started a challenging project on "Oral administration of peptides: lipid microsystems by cryogenic CO2 expansion" (PEPCOX), leveraging the potential of CryoXpand® technology to uncover valuable insights and drive innovation in the field.
In the framework of Nuclis R&D 2022 and with the support of ACCIÓ, PEPCOX is a collaborative project between SITEC PharmaBio and BAPP (Bioanalysis, Proteomics, and Pharmacology) a multidisciplinary TECNIO center at the Hospital del Mar Research Institute and University Pompeu Fabra (UPF) specialized in pharmacology, neuroscience, peptide chemistry, and bioanalysis.
The project investigates the concept and application of lipid-polymeric composite microspheres generated by CryoXpand® technology in the area of oral delivery of peptides. The objective is to improve the oral bioavailability of selected GLP-1 analogues for the treatment of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity. Lipid-composite microspheres can address the main challenges in oral delivery of peptides: poor absorption through the intestinal mucosa, and instability of the molecules in the presence of gastrointestinal fluids and enzymes.
The successful outcome of PEPCOX will validate new applications of CryoXpand® by testing innovative peptides formulations in-vivo (pre-clinical studies) and advancing towards proof of concept (PoC) studies in humans.