The Need

Around 3.2 million stent procedures are performed annually worldwide to treat cardiovascular diseases. However, up to 50% of the reconstructed vessels, particularly those in the periphery, fail due to re-narrowing, or restenosis. Current anti-restenotic treatments with drug-eluting stents (DES) do not completely prevent restenosis and worsen thrombogenic risks. Stents themselves have been increasingly recognized as one of the culprits responsible for the unfavorable outcomes, whereas recent efforts have witnessed significant debacles in large randomized trials, which further underscore the urgency for novel strategies to tackle this medical problem.

The Technology

Researchers at the Ohio State University's College of Medicine, led by Dr. K. Craig Kent and Lianwang Guo, have developed a novel stent-free treatment for prevention of restenosis. The treatment is a nanoparticle (NP) based approach, which utilizes anti-restenotic drugs and a platelet-membrane biomimetic coating on the nanoparticles for directed targeting. By injecting these nanoparticles intravenously, the approach results in a lower cost and causes less trauma when compared with current treatments because it does not rely on a vascular stent or long-term material present in the site. In addition, the procedure can be repeated if needed without taking the patient in for secondary surgery. The outcome of this technology is personalized treatment regimens focused on adjustable doses and an easier option for patients following angioplasty.

Stage of Development

The group has established rodent efficacy with the product using both established and newly identified anti-restenotic drugs and is aiming to proceed with PK/PD, toxicity, and non-rodent efficacy studies.

Commercial Applications

• Restinosis following angioplasty

Benefits/Advantages

• Stent-free
  • Lower cost
  • Less trauma
• IV injection-compatible
• Personalized regimen
• Reduced need for secondary invasive interventions