Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: To address the U.S. Army need for a curative treatment for secondary lymphedema that will

Description

To address the U.S. Army need for a curative treatment for secondary lymphedema that will restore the function of the lymphatic vessel system by stimulating lymphangiogenesis, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a Nano-Therapeutics for Secondary Lymphedema (NATSEL). The NATSEL will include a nanocarrier (NC) loaded with VEGF-C and ANG-2, a biocompatible gel to contain the NC and a microneedle patch for transdermal delivery of the therapeutic. The innovations in NATSEL will enable minimally invasive targeted delivery of the VEGF-C and ANG-2 to the lymphatic endothelial cells. The NATSEL modality has minimal toxicity and immunogenicity profiles and is easy to administer. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of the NATSEL concept by developing a prototype that can stimulate lymphangiogenesis in appropriate cell culture, resulting in lymphatic endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation and branching. In Phase II, POC plans to demonstrate, optimize, and validate the NATSEL therapeutic strategy in animal models of secondary lymphedema. The FDA approval pathway will be outlined and considered at each developmental stage.