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Principal Investigators: Gilbert J. Grant, M.D. and Herman Turndorf,
M.D., NYU School of Medicine; Yechezkel Barenholz, Ph.D., Hebrew
University; and Elya Bolotin, Ph.D.
More than 20 million surgeries are performed annually each year in the U.S. Additionally,
each year millions of Americans undergo medical procedures that result in pain or
experience pain as a result of trauma. Pain is debilitating, causes needless suffering,
delays hospital discharge, and has profound effects on physiological functions which
lead to medical complications and increased health care costs. It is now recognized
that pain is often inadequately treated. One reason for sub-optimal management of
pain is the reticence of healthcare providers to prescribe sufficient analgesics.
Narcotics, for example, are frequently under-dosed because of the risk of respiratory
depression and addiction. Patients often share these fears, and therefore may fail
to request sufficient medication to render them comfortable. Direct infiltration
of wounds with local anesthetics is an attractive method of providing analgesia,
and would obviate the numerous side effects associated with use of systemic narcotics.
However, this technique is ineffective due to rapid redistribution of the drug from
the site of administration. There is consequently a compelling need for a safe and
effective long-lasting local anesthetic.
Description of the Project
Dr. Grant et.al. have developed a liposomal local anesthetic formulation to produce
prolonged analgesia with a single administration. The formulation is based on proprietary
techniques that enable efficient loading of drug into the liposomal vehicle, resulting
in a favorable drug-to-lipid ratio. (Liposomes are already used for delivery of a
variety of drugs including antineoplastics and antifungals; because they are composed
of biocompatible materials, liposomes are well-tolerated). This formulation enables
safe administration of a large depot of local anesthetic because the anesthetic is
gradually released from the liposomal vehicle. Animal studies have shown that this
formulation results in prolongation of analgesia up to 20-fold over currently used
local anesthetics. The duration of the analgesia may be predictably controlled by
manipulating the dose administered and the lipid constituents. These properties confer
a high degree of versatility on this liposomal vehicle.
Applications:
This technology is useful for treating a myriad of painful conditions. For many patients,
it will reduce or replace the need for current therapy, typically systemic narcotics.
The many untoward side effects of narcotics (e.g., somnolence, respiratory depression,
constipation, and pruritus) can be avoided. The formulation can be administered by
a variety of routes including subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, topical, and intraarticular.
It could also be administered into the neuraxis. It would be ideal for injecting
directly into incised or injured tissues to minimize pain. In summary, this technology
fills a need for a safe and reliable long-acting analgesic. It can provide an effective
means of relief to millions of patients suffering from pain and its complications.
Patent Status:
US and foreign patent applications have been filed covering this novel technology.
Further information:
Office of Industrial Liaison
NYU School of Medicine
650 First Avenue
New York, NY
Tel. (212) 263-8178; Fax (212) 263-8189
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