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Implantable Port for Cellular Therapies and Localized Drug Delivery

Detailed Technology Description

Implantable Port for Cellular Therapies and Localized Drug Delivery Technology: Researchers in a collaboration between MUSC and Clemson have created a revolutionary subcutaneous implantable port with the potential for use in a broad spectrum of treatments including cellular therapies and localized drug delivery. The device is comprised of a subdermal, catheter-less implantable port with a lumen that exits directly below the port into a cellulose pocket that can possess varying pore sizes depending on the therapeutic payload to be administered. The device is implanted subcutaneously via a simple surgical procedure.  Once implanted, the device can be utilized immediately for sustained localized delivery of therapeutics; or in the case of cellular therapies, these can be administered once the cellulose membrane of the device has vascularized to improve oxygenation and thus cell viability.  The device allows for multiple administrations of therapies without the need for additional surgeries or the maintenance of an external catheter, all while containing the therapeutic payload in an immunological privileged location inside the port.  Once treatment is complete, the device is removed in a simple outpatient procedure by clipping the sutures holding the biocompatible membrane and easily sliding the titanium body out of the patient.   Overview: Cellular therapy products include cellular immunotherapies, cancer vaccines, and other types of both autologous and allogeneic cells for certain therapeutic indications, including hematopoietic stem cells and adult and embryonic stem cells.  According to the FDA, cellular and gene therapy-related research and development in the United States continues to grow at a fast rate, with hundreds of products advancing in clinical development.  Estimates indicate that the cellular therapies market opportunity could be greater than $25 billion USD by 2024.  While therapies continue to advance, the industry lacks effective and convenient means of administration of these cellular therapies.  Current cellular therapy devices fail to address two of the biggest issues of administration, prevention of immune rejection and maintenance of an oxygenated environment for the cells. Additionally, localized delivery of therapeutics, especially pain management and cancer therapeutics, has become of increasing interest as an alternative to systemic administration of therapeutics with habit forming or toxic side effects.  Current delivery methods focus on transdermal application or direct injection of hydrogels and other like substances.  These methods thus far have been unable to address the sustained and consistent delivery of therapeutics needed for such applications. Applications: Localized drug delivery, cellular therapy Advantages:  Biocompatibility and Durability: The device combines the unmatched biocompatibility of pure cellulose with the proven performance of medical grade titanium.  Safety: The port features a syringe shield and advanced geometry that insure successful injection of therapies into the port and protection of the surrounding tissue, as well as effective distribution of therapeutic through the device and across the cellulose membrane. Ease of Use: Palpitations on the surface of the device help users easily identify the location of the port for accurate and fast injection.  Ease of Removal: Sutures holding the biocompatible membrane are easily accessible at the top of the device, allowing simple and less invasive removal of the titanium portion of the device while leaving the biocompatible membrane intact.Comfort: The device at just over 8mm thick is slimmer than any implantable port currently on the market. Key Words: drug delivery, localized delivery, cellular therapy, immunotherapy, pain management, implantable port, port, injection, cellulose membrane, immunologically privileged Inventors: Lucas Tatem, Alexander Ormerod, William Scammon, Carl Atkinson, Satish Nadig, Jane Kilkenny        Patent Status:       Provisional Patent 62/666,273 filed May 3, 2018              MUSC-FRD Technology ID: P1864 Licensing Status: Currently available for licensing

*Abstract

None

*Principal Investigator

Name: William Scammon, Student

Department: Clemson Bioengineering

Name: Alexander Ormerod, Student

Department: Clemson Bioengineering

Name: Lucas Tatem, Student

Department: Clemson Bioengineering

Name: Satish Nadig, Assistant Professor

Department: Surgery, Microbiology & Immunology

Name: Carl Atkinson, Associate Professor

Department: Microbiology & Immunology

Name: Jane Kilkenny

Department: Surgery

Country/Region

USA