Phys.org July 17, 2024
Advanced biologic therapies are distributed cold, using substantial energy, limiting equitable distribution in low-resource countries and placing responsibility on the user for correct storage and handling. Cold-chain management is the best solution at present for protein transport but requires substantial infrastructure and energy. A team of researchers in the UK designed a stiff hydrogel that stabilizes proteins against thermal denaturation even at 50 °C, and that can deliver pure, excipient-free protein by mechanically releasing it from a syringe. Macromolecules could be loaded at up to 10 wt% without affecting the mechanism of release. According to the researchers this unique stabilization and excipient-free release synergy offers a practical, scalable and versatile solution to enable the low-cost, cold-chain-free and equitable delivery of therapies worldwide… read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLEÂ
Initial gel studies
Credit: Nature volume 631, pages544–548, 17 July , 2024