Glaucoma: a Key Area of Innovation in Ophthalmic Drug Delivery

Ophthalmic Inserts: Towards Prolonged Drug Administration

Ophthalmic inserts are drug delivery systems designed to be placed on the ocular surface, typically in the conjunctival sac, to provide sustained or controlled drug release.

Depending on their design, inserts can be positioned in the anterior segment of the eye, particularly in the conjunctival sac, or developed to target deeper ocular structures.

Their potential benefits include:

• maintaining a more stable therapeutic concentration over time;
• reducing the frequency of administration;
• improving local drug exposure;
• limiting concentration fluctuations observed following conventional eye-drop instillation;
• supporting patient adherence to treatment by reducing administration frequency.

The development of these technologies nevertheless requires materials capable of meeting the specific requirements of the ocular environment, including biocompatibility, adhesive properties, stability, and controlled drug release. [2,3]

Biopolymers: Key Materials for the Medical Devices of Tomorrow

Biopolymers are macromolecules of natural origin or produced through biotechnology, used as biomaterials due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and physicochemical properties. In drug delivery, they can serve as carriers capable of encapsulating, protecting, and releasing active pharmaceutical ingredients in a controlled manner.

Recent advances in biomaterials engineering have notably enabled the development of hydrogels and polymeric matrices capable of incorporating a drug and modulating its release according to therapeutic needs. [3]

Hyaluronic Acid: An Example of a Biopolymer Suited to Ophthalmic Applications

Among the biopolymers investigated for ophthalmic applications, hyaluronic acid (HA) is a particularly interesting material.

Naturally present in the human body, including in the tear film and vitreous humor, HA possesses several properties that are advantageous for ophthalmic applications:

• well-established biocompatibility;
• high water-retention capacity;
• viscoelastic properties suited to the ocular surface;
• the ability to undergo chemical modification to tailor its properties.

Historically used in artificial tear formulations and ophthalmic viscoelastic devices, hyaluronic acid is now being investigated as a functional matrix for the development of advanced drug delivery systems. [4]

BIOPHTA: An Example of Innovation Based on a Mucoadhesive Ophthalmic Insert

The development of biopolymer-based ophthalmic inserts perfectly illustrates the current evolution of drug delivery technologies.

Within this field, BIOPHTA is developing a mucoadhesive ophthalmic insert technology, notably for the treatment of glaucoma. This approach is based on a matrix containing a functionalized hyaluronic acid derivative combined with an antiglaucoma active pharmaceutical ingredient.

This strategy illustrates the potential of biopolymers as drug delivery matrices designed to prolong local drug exposure and reduce administration frequency. [5]

Thanks to its recognized expertise in pharmaceutical-grade biopolymers, HTL Biotechnology contributes to the development of these innovative devices, paving the way for a new generation of ophthalmic solutions focused on patients’ needs.

[1] Fea AM, Vallino V, Cossu M, Marica V, Novarese C, Reibaldi M, Petrillo F. Drug Delivery Systems for Glaucoma: A Narrative Review. Pharmaceuticals. 2024;17(9):1163. doi:10.3390/ph17091163.

[2] Costa VP, et al. Innovation in the Development of Synthetic and Natural Ocular Drug Delivery Systems for Eye Diseases Treatment: Focusing on Drug-Loaded Ocular Inserts, Contacts, and Intraocular Lenses. Pharmaceutics. 2023;15(2):516. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics15020516.

[3] Pahuja P, et al. Ophthalmic Drug Dosage Forms: Characterisation and Research Methods. BioMed Research International. 2014;2014:861904. doi:10.1155/2014/861904.

[4] Kim M, Jung MY, Lee DY, Ahn SM, Lee GM, Park CY. How to Fabricate Hyaluronic Acid for Ocular Drug Delivery. Pharmaceutics. 2024;16(12):1604. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics16121604.

[5] https://www.biophta.com/technology