Development of targeted drug delivery systems to treat obesity

Development of targeted drug
delivery systems to treat obesity
Dr. Abram Madiehe
Diabetes Research Group
South African Medical Research Council
University of the Western Cape
[email protected]
CLINAM 2011
General introduction
  Obesity - a global epidemic; risk factor for chronic diseases of lifestyle
- characterised by hyperplasia and hypertrophy of adipocytes
- associated with increased angiogenesis
  Conventional treatment includes exercise, diet and pharmacotherapy.
  Pharmacotherapy is hampered by systemic drug toxicity and side effects.
∴ Need for the development of safe medication to treat obesity
Objective: to develop nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems as a
plausible solution to toxicity issues in obesity treatment
The actors – Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, DST (government)
Budget – R20m (€2m) per year for next 3 years
Collaboration proposed: Bilateral collaboration (capacity development, staff & student)
with possibility to co-apply to new FP
Technical Content
  Development of nanotechnology-based anti-obesity agents
  use drugs withdrawn due to toxicity and revitalize with Nanotechnology
-based drug delivery (NIC & Partner)
  develop angiogenesis inhibitors used in cancer for obesity (NIC)
  develop new anti-angiogenesis inhibitors (Partner)
  Characterization of drug-loaded nanoparticles (Partner)
  Preclinical testing in vitro and in vivo (NIC & Partner)
Relevance for collaborations
  Relevance to the Nanomedicine field
  Tremendous potential for Nanomedicine in the treatment of obesity
 Innovative approach out of the proposed work
  Nanotechnology based targeted drug delivery systems
  Benefit for potential partners
  Joint innovation in molecular liposuction
CLINAM 2011