Investigation of the relationship between the in vitro properties of different subcutaneously administered peptides and their bioavailability and absorption in vivo
Increasin our understanding of the correlation between the physicochemical properties of the peptides and their behavior in subcutaneous tissue, as well as an in vitro model system to predict the fate of therapeutical peptides after injection.
Research scientist: Dávid Juriga, Researcher
Principal investigator: Professor Per Hansson, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University
Scientific and industrial context. Subcutaneous injection of therapeutical peptides and proteins is one of the major administration routes and its relevance is rapidly increasing. However, the fraction reaching the circulation is quite low while the immunological response can be significant. Understanding the fate of the injected peptides is still a big challenge since the correlation between the animal experiments and the outcomes of preclinical studies is poor. Moreover, no appropriate in vitro methods have been developed for subcutaneous delivery comparable to the ones established for example for oral administration.
Aim. The aim of the project, is to establish the correlation between in vitro and in vivo experiments by using subcutaneously administered peptides that are promising in cancer therapy. By understanding the key parameters, the development of the in vitro model system to mimic the complexity of the adipose tissue is also in the focus of the project.
Outcome. Better understanding of the correlation between the physicochemical properties of the peptides and their behavior in subcutaneous tissue, as well as an in vitro model system to predict the fate of therapeutical peptides after injection.