Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and it develops in the lower part of the large intestine. Researchers at Pusan National University used a series of PLGAs (AP037, AP040, AP082, and AP154) from Akina from PolySciTech Division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) to develop hyaluronic acid conjugated PLGA for colorectal cancer (CRC)-targeted nanoparticles. This research holds promise to treat this common and deadly disease. Read more: Lee, Juho, Dongmin Kwak, Hyunwoo Kim, Muneeb Ullah, Jihyun Kim, Muhammad Naeem, Seonghwan Hwang et al. "Elucidating a Tumor‐Selective Nanoparticle Delivery Mechanism at the Colorectal Lumen–Tumor Interface for Precise Local Cancer Therapy." Small 21, no. 9 (2025): 2409994. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/smll.202409994

“Although various colorectal cancer (CRC)-targeted nanoparticles have been developed to selectively deliver anticancer agents to tumor tissues, severe off-target side effects still persist due to unwanted systemic nanoparticle distribution, limiting the therapeutic outcome. Here, by elucidating a tumor-selective nanoparticle delivery mechanism occurring at the colorectal lumen–tumor interface, an alternative CRC-targeted delivery route is proposed, which enables highly tumor-selective delivery without systemic distribution, through direct drug delivery from the outside of the body (colorectal lumen) to tumors in the colorectum. Owing to the presence of accessible tumor-specific receptors such as CD44 at the colorectal lumen–tumor interface, but not at the colorectal lumen–normal tissue interface, colorectal luminal surface (CLS)-targeting ligand-functionalized nanoparticles selectively accumulate in CRC tissues without systemic distribution, resulting in successful local CRC therapy. The findings suggest that CLS-targeted lumen-to-tumor delivery can be a suitable strategy for highly CRC-specific drug delivery for precise local CRC therapy.”

PLGAs (https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/polyesters.php)

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BPR Akina's Free Scientific Conference (West Lafayette, 4/29/26: (https://akinainc.com/bprconference/)

Diabetes is related to chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction. Researchers at Assiut University, University of Tabuk, Taibah University, University of Cincinnati, and Badr University in Assiut used PLGA (AP104) from Akina from PolySciTech Division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) to develop a delivery system for rivaroxaban. This research holds promise to provide for treatment of diabetes. Read more: Elbadr, Mohamed M., Heba A. Galal, Helal F. Hetta, Hassabelrasoul Elfadil, Fawaz E. Alanazi, Shereen Fawzy, Hashim M. Aljohani et al. "Immunomodulatory Effect of Rivaroxaban Nanoparticles Alone and in Combination with Sitagliptin on Diabetic Rat Model." Diseases 13, no. 3 (2025): 87. https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/13/3/87

“Background: Chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation are key drivers of diabetes complications. Rivaroxaban (RX) and sitagliptin (SITA) are established therapies for thromboembolism and glycemic control, respectively. This study evaluated the novel therapeutic potential of nano-rivaroxaban (NRX) alone and in combination with sitagliptin (SITA) in mitigating inflammation and restoring immune balance in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Type 2 diabetes was induced in rats using a single injection of STZ (60 mg/kg). Animals were divided into five groups: control, STZ-diabetic, RX-treated (5 mg/kg), NRX-treated (5 mg/kg), and NRX+SITA-treated (5 mg/kg + 10 mg/kg). After 4 weeks of treatment, blood glucose, coagulation markers, pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-35, TGF-β1, IL-10) were analyzed. Histopathological examination of the liver, kidney, pancreas, and spleen was conducted. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess hepatic NF-κB expression. Results: STZ significantly elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-35, TGF-β1, IL-10), along with increased hepatic NF-κB expression and histopathological abnormalities in immune organs. NRX significantly reduced inflammatory cytokines, improved histopathological changes in organs, and decreased hepatic NF-κB expression. The combination therapy (NRX + SITA) achieved superior immune modulation, with enhanced cytokine profile restoration, reduced hepatic NF-κB expression, and near-complete histopathological normalization. Conclusions: This study underscores the promise of combining nanoparticle-based drug delivery with established therapies like sitagliptin to achieve superior immune modulation and inflammation control, presenting a potential therapeutic strategy for managing diabetes complications. Keywords: diabetes; nano-rivaroxaban; rivaroxaban; sitagliptin; streptozotocin”

PLGA (https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AP104#h)

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BPR Akina's Free Scientific Conference (West Lafayette, 4/29/26: (https://akinainc.com/bprconference/)

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig's disease can potentially be treated by a drug known as edaravone, however this drug does not transport into the brain tissue where it is needed due to the blood-brain-barrier. Researchers at University of Porto and University of Santiago de Compostela used PEG-PLGA (AK106) from PolySciTech Division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) to develop encapsulation techniques for the brain delivery of edaravone as part of ALS treatment. Read more: Aguiar, Brandon, Ana Rita Alfenim, Cláudia Sofia Machado, Joana Moreira, Miguel Pinto, Francisco J. Otero-Espinar, Fernanda Borges, and Carlos Fernandes. "Exploring Nano-Delivery Systems to Enhance the Edaravone Performance in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Treatment." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 26, no. 5 (2025): 2146. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11900301/

“Edaravone is one of the treatment options for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, but its therapeutic efficacy is limited due to the incapacity to cross the blood–brain barrier, as well as its short life span and poor stability, which is ultimately caused by its tautomerism in physiological condions. This work presents an overview about the use of several nanoformulations based on polymeric, protein, lipidic, or hybrid structure as suitable and stable drug delivery systems for encapsulating edaravone. We also evaluated the functionalization of nanoparticles with pegylated chains using the polyethylene glycol or tocopherol polyethylene glycol succinate and the possibility of preparing polymeric nanoparticles at different pH (7.4, 9, and 11). Edaravone was sucessfully encapsulated in polymeric, lipid–polymer hybrid, and lipidic nanoparticles. The use of higher pH values in the synthesis of polymeric nanoparticles has led to a decrease in nanoparticle size and an increase in the percentage of encapsulation efficiency. However, the resulting nanoformulations are not stable. Only polymeric and hybrid nanoparticles showed good stability over 80 days of storage, mainly at 4 °C. Overall, the nanoformulations tested did not show cytotoxicity in the SH-SY5Y cell line except the nanostructured lipid carrier formulations that showed some cytotoxicity possibly due to lipidic peroxidation. In conclusion, this work shows that edaravone can be encapsulated in different nanocarriers that could act as an interesting alternative for the treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Keywords: edaravone, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, hybrid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers”

mPEG-PLGA (https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AK106#h)

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BPR Akina's Free Scientific Conference (West Lafayette, 4/29/26: (https://akinainc.com/bprconference/)

Leukocyte esterase is an enzyme with pronounced upregulation near sights of inflamed colonic tissue. Researchers at Pusan National University, Korea Univesrsity, and Daegu Catholic University used PLGA (AP037) from PolySciTech Division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) to develop dexamethasone conjugated prodrugs for oral delivery. This research holds promise to provide for treatment against a wide range of irritable bowel disease (IBD) states. Read more: Lee, Juho, Aruzhan Saparbayeva, Jihyun Kim, Dongmin Kwak, Hyunwoo Kim, Muneeb Ullah, Md Lukman Hakim et al. "Leukocyte Esterase-Activated Nanoconjugates Enables Precise Local Therapy of Ulcerative Colitis via Inflamed Tissue-Selective Drug Delivery." ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (2025). https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsami.5c11808

“Leukocyte esterase (LE), markedly upregulated in inflamed colonic tissues, offers a unique enzymatic trigger for selective drug activation in ulcerative colitis (UC). To exploit this pathological hallmark, we developed LE-activated nanoconjugates that enable inflamed tissue-selective drug delivery as a strategy to achieve precise local therapy for UC. Dexamethasone (DEX) was covalently conjugated to poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) via ester bonds to form nanoconjugates (DPNCs) with suppressed drug release during gastrointestinal transit. These nanoconjugates accumulated in inflamed colonic tissues via the epithelial enhanced permeability and retention (eEPR) effect and selectively released DEX in response to elevated LE activity. In a dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis model, orally administered DPNCs achieved superior colonic drug accumulation, minimized systemic distribution, and significantly improved therapeutic outcomes compared with free DEX. These findings highlight the potential of LE-activated nanoconjugates as an effective oral platform for precise and safe treatment of UC.”

PLGA (https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AP037#h)

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BPR Akina's Free Scientific Conference (West Lafayette, 4/29/26: (https://akinainc.com/bprconference/)

Near infrared (NIR) light is a form of long-wavelength light which can harmlessly pass through human tissue and be utilized to trigger actions inside the human body. Researchers at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth used PLGA (AP016) from PolySciTech Division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) to develop microparticles for NIR-triggered vancomycin delivery. This research holds promise to provide for precisely controlled delivery of drugs. Read more: Pokharel, Mishal, Abid Neron, Amit Kumar Dey, Aishwarya Raksha Siddharthan, Menaka Konara, Md Mainuddin Sagar, Tracie Ferreira, and Kihan Park. "Light-Responsive PLGA Microparticles for On-Demand Vancomycin Release and Enhanced Antibacterial Efficiency." Pharmaceutics 17, no. 8 (2025): 1007. https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/8/1007

“Abstract: Background: A precise drug delivery system enables the optimization of treatments with minimal side effects if it can deliver medication only when activated by a specific light source. This study presents a controlled drug delivery system based on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles (MPs) designed for the sustained release of vancomycin hydrochloride. Methods: The MPs were co-loaded with indocyanine green (ICG), a near-infrared (NIR) responsive agent, and fabricated via the double emulsion method.They were characterized for stability, surface modification, biocompatibility, and antibacterial efficacy. Results: Dynamic light scattering and zeta potential analyses confirmed significant increases in particle size and surface charge reversal following chitosan coating. Scanning electron microscopy revealed uniform morphology in uncoated MPs (1–10 μm) and irregular surfaces post-coating. Stability tests demonstrated drug retention for up to 180 days. Among formulations, PVI1 exhibited the highest yield (76.67 ± 1.3%) and encapsulation efficiency (56.2 ± 1.95%). NIR irradiation (808 nm) enhanced drug release kinetics, with formulation PVI4 achieving over 48.9% release, resulting in improved antibacterial activity. Chitosan-coated MPs (e.g., PVI4-C) effectively suppressed drug release without NIR light for up to 8 h, with cumulative release reaching only 10.89%. Without NIR light, bacterial colonies exceeded 1000 CFU; NIR-triggered release reduced them below 120 CFU. Drug release data fitted best with the zero-order and Korsmeyer–Peppas models, suggesting a combination of diffusion-controlled and constant-rate release behavior. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the promise of chitosan-coated NIR-responsive PLGA MPs for precise, on-demand antibiotic delivery and improved antibacterial performance. Keywords: near-infrared light; microparticles; antibiotic; drug delivery; controlled release; chitosan coating”

PLGA (https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AP016#h)

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BPR Akina's Free Scientific Conference (West Lafayette, 4/29/26: (https://akinainc.com/bprconference/)

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is the second leading cause of perinatal death and morbidity. Researchers at University of Washington used mPEG-PLGA (AK106) from PolySciTech Division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) to create a delivery system to provide protective curcumin agents into the brain tissue to restrict inflammation. This research holds promise to prevent birth defects. Read more: Xu, N., Wixey, J., Chand, K., Wong, M., & Nance, E. (2025). Nano-formulated curcumin uptake and biodistribution in the fetal growth restricted newborn piglet brain. Drug Delivery and Translational Research, 1-15. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13346-025-01830-y

“Fetal growth restriction (FGR) affects 5% to 10% of all pregnancies in developed countries and is the second most leading cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity. Life-long consequences of FGR range from learning and behavioral issues to cerebral palsy. To support the newborn brain following FGR, timely and accessible neuroprotection strategies are needed. Curcumin-loaded polymeric nanoparticles, which have been widely explored for the treatment of cancer, neurological disorders, and bacterial infections, have the potential to prevent and mitigate pathogenic inflammatory processes in the FGR brain. Curcumin is a hydrophobic molecule with poor aqueous solubility and therefore has been incorporated into nanoparticles to improve solubility and delivery. However, curcumin loading in many nanoparticles can be limited to 10% by weight or lower. Here, we first optimize the formulation process of curcumin-loaded polymeric nanoparticles to find a tunable, reproducible, and stable formulation with high curcumin loading and encapsulation efficiency. We establish a curcumin formulation with 39% curcumin loading and > 95% curcumin encapsulation efficiency. Using this formulation, we assessed the biodistribution of polymeric nanoparticles in FGR piglets and normally grown (NG) piglets following different administration routes and evaluated brain cellular uptake. We show a significant amount of nanoparticle accumulation in the brain parenchyma of neonatal piglets as early as 4 h after intranasal administration. Nanoparticles colocalized in microglia, a therapeutic target of interest in FGR brain injury. This study demonstrates the potential of curcumin-loaded nanoparticles to treat neuroinflammation associated with FGR in the newborn.”

mPEG-PLGA (https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AK016#h)

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BPR Akina's Free Scientific Conference (West Lafayette, 4/29/26: (https://akinainc.com/bprconference/)

Arthritis is an inflammatory disease commonly affecting joints. Researchers at University of California San Diego and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center used PLGA (Cat# AP018) from PolySciTech Division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) to create trans retinoic acid loaded microparticles as a means to alleviate inflammation and swelling of arthritis. This research holds promise to provide improved treatment against this potentially crippling disease. Read more: Dolmat, Maksim, Julia Borges Paes Lemes, Wade T. Johnson, Elizabeth L. Wilkinson, Tony L. Yaksh, Nunzio Bottini, and Nisarg J. Shah. "Disease modifying biomaterials for modulating mechanical allodynia in a preclinical model of rheumatoid arthritis." Bioengineering & Translational Medicine (2025): e70054. https://aiche.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/btm2.70054

“Pain is a key symptom associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and can persist even in the context of overall disease control by standard-of-care disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Analgesic agents and corticosteroids are often used to supplement DMARDs for pain relief but lack disease modifying properties, and their sustained use carries adverse risks. In this work, we characterized the progression of pain sensitivity in the SKG mouse model of RA and evaluated the potential therapeutic interventions. Male and female SKG mice, after systemic mannan injection, developed a mechanical pain phenotype and joint swelling, with a strong inverse correlation between clinical arthritis scores and pain thresholds. To test potential interventions for pain alleviation, we evaluated all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microparticles (ATRA-PLGA MP) administered via intra-articular injection, which we have previously demonstrated to be disease-modifying. The pain and inflammation patterns assessed by the von Frey test and clinical scoring showed ATRA-PLGA MP monotherapy reduced inflammation and alleviated mechanical allodynia in arthritic SKG mice, an effect that was amplified by combination treatments with standard-of-care agents. In early-stage arthritis, co-administration with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein (CTLA)-4-Ig, clinically known as abatacept, delayed disease progression and sustained the reduction of mechanical allodynia. In established arthritis, sequential treatment with the corticosteroid dexamethasone (Dex) reduced cumulative disease burden and reduced mechanical allodynia. These findings highlight the potential of combining ATRA-PLGA MP with standard-of-care treatments as a potential strategy to enhance the efficacy and durability of disease modification and pain alleviation for arthritis management.”

PLGA (https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AP018#h)

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BPR Akina's Free Scientific Conference (West Lafayette, 4/29/26: (https://akinainc.com/bprconference/)

Surgical removal of tumors is complicated due to difficulty localizing them amongst normal tissue. Researchers at National Cancer Center Republic of Korea used PLA-PEG-PLA (cat# AK138) and PCL-PEG-PCL (cat# AK035) from PolySciTech Division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) to develop fluorescent marker gel to locate tumors. This research holds promise to improve the surgical outcomes of tumor removal. Read more: Lee, Seon Sook, and Yongdoo Choi. "Near-Infrared Dye-Loaded Thermosensitive Hydrogels as Novel Fluorescence Tissue Markers." Gels 11, no. 8 (2025): 649. https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/8/649

“Abstract: Accurate intraoperative localization of deep-seated lesions remains a major challenge in minimally invasive procedures such as laparoscopic and robotic surgeries. Current marking strategies—including ink tattooing and metallic clips—are limited by dye diffusion, or poor intraoperative visibility. To address these issues, we developed and evaluated four thermosensitive injectable hydrogel systems incorporating indocyanine green-human serum albumin (ICG-HSA) complexes: (1) hexanoyl glycol chitosan (HGC), (2) Pluronic F-127, (3) PCL–PEG–PCL, and (4) PLA–PEG–PLA. All hydrogel formulations exhibited sol–gel transitions at physiological temperatures, facilitating in situ dye entrapment and prolonged fluorescence retention. In vivo fluorescence imaging revealed that HGC and Pluronic F-127 hydrogels retained signals for up to five and two days, respectively. In contrast, polyester-based hydrogels (PCL–PEG–PCL and PLA–PEG–PLA) preserved fluorescence for up to 21–30 days. PLA–PEG–PLA showed the highest signal-to-background ratios and sustained intensity, while PCL–PEG–PCL also achieved long-term retention. These findings suggest that thermosensitive hydrogels incorporating ICG-HSA complexes represent promising tissue marker platforms for real-time, minimally invasive, and long-term fluorescence-guided lesion tracking. Keywords: surgical marker; laparoscopic surgery; near-infrared fluorescence imaging; thermosensitive polymer”

PLA-PEG-PLA (https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AK138#h)

PCL-PEG-PCL (https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AK035#h)

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BPR Akina's Free Scientific Conference (West Lafayette, 9/30/25: (https://akinainc.com/bprconference/)

Chemotherapy has several side effects including, in the case of cisplatin, hearing damage. Researchers at University of California Los Angelas utilized PCL (Cat# AS009, Ashland Distributed product) purchased from PolySciTech Division of Akina, Inc. (https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/ashland/) to develop an N-acetylcysteine delivery system to protect hearing. This research can help prevent a common side-effect of chemotherapy. Read more: Smith, Eric Michael, Carmen Boixo, Larry Hoffman, and Ashley E. Kita. "Transtympanic Injection of Antioxidant‐Eluting Microparticles for Otoprotection From Cisplatin Toxicity in a Mouse Model." Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (2025). https://aao-hnsfjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ohn.70002

“Abstract: Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic agent with the undesirable side effect of ototoxicity. Transtympanic injections of antioxidant formulations may provide local otoprotection. We tested a novel antioxidant-eluting microparticle for its otoprotective capability from systemic cisplatin as measured by cochlear electrophysiology. Eighteen mice were assigned to three groups. All mice underwent baseline click-evoked auditory brainstem response (ABR) audiometry and right ear microparticle injections before beginning 42-day intraperitoneal administration regimens of either saline (healthy control empty microparticle [HCEMP] group) or cisplatin (cisplatin empty microparticle [CEMP] group and cisplatin N-acetylcysteine microparticle [CNAC] group). These regimens consisted of three 4-day cycles of intraperitoneal saline or cisplatin administration followed by 10 rest days. HCEMP and CEMP received right-sided transtympanic empty microparticles, and CNAC received transtympanic N-acetylcysteine eluting microparticles. On day 43, all mice underwent posttreatment ABR. ABR thresholds and threshold shifts were analyzed with mixed-effects models and Tukey's post hoc tests and were compared across pretreatment/posttreatment ears, treatment groups, and injected and non-injected ears. We found that threshold shifts in the ears that received a transtympanic injection of N-acetylcysteine and three cycles of intraperitoneal cisplatin were similar to the paired ears of mice that received no cisplatin. Mice that received a transtympanic injection without N-acetylcysteine and intraperitoneal cisplatin had increased thresholds compared to mice that received a transtympanic injection of N-acetylcysteine and cisplatin. Transtympanic N-acetylcysteine microparticle injections provided functional otoprotection in cisplatin-exposed mice.”

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BPR Akina's Free Scientific Conference (West Lafayette, 9/30/25: (https://akinainc.com/bprconference/)

Fisheries require protection from viral diseases that can be devastating to the aquatic population. Researchers at Mahidol University used PLGA (AP059) from PolySciTech Division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) to develop microparticles for delivery of anti-viral protein. This research holds promise to help protect food-supply. Read more: Kriangsaksri, Ruttanaporn, Suparat Taengchaiyaphum, Pattaree Payomhom, Dararat Thaiue, Ornchuma Itsathitphaisarn, Kallaya Sritunyalucksana, and Kanlaya Prapainop Katewongsa. "Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) Microspheres Encapsulating a Viral-Binding Protein, PmRab7, for Preventing White Spot Syndrome Virus in Shrimp." ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering (2025). https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsbiomaterials.5c00928

“White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is one of the most devastating pathogens affecting shrimp. Within a short time, it leads to a hundred percent mortality rate, which causes substantial economic losses. PmRab7 has been reported to bind to the envelope protein of WSSV, VP28, resulting in a reduction of viral replication. In order to apply PmRab7 in shrimp feed, the development of delivery systems is crucial. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is a biodegradable polymer extensively studied for drug delivery in the form of nanoparticles or microspheres (MSs). Despite its potential, PLGA has not been previously reported for antiviral use in shrimp. This study is the first to demonstrate the potential use of PLGA and chitosan-coated PLGA (PLGA/CS) MSs for the delivery of PmRab7 in shrimp. Both PLGA and PLGA/CS were optimized and characterized to allow for a sustained release of encapsulated PmRab7. Initial in vitro and in vivo evaluations demonstrated that both MSs are safe for use in shrimp, can sustain the release of PmRab7, and enhance its antiviral activity as shown by a decrease in the mortality rate in shrimp. The development of these MSs has the potential to significantly enhance disease control in shrimp aquaculture, leading to more effective and sustainable practices that will ultimately bolster the industry’s growth and long-term stability.”

PLGA (https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AP059#h)
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July 14-18: meet at 2025 CRS AM&E Poster #274
BPR Akina's Free Scientific Conference (West Lafayette, 9/30/25: (https://akinainc.com/bprconference/)

Delivery of vaccines by the oral pathway is complicated due to damage in the stomach and poor oral uptake. Researchers at University of Kansas used PLGA-PEG-COOH (AI166) and PLGA (AP121) from PolySciTech Division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) to develop nanoparticles for vaccine delivery. This research holds promise to provide for improved vaccine delivery. Read more: Xie, Jin, Xiaodi Li, Grahmm A. Funk, Su Jeong Song, Udita Shah, Connor S. Ahlquist, and Hyunjoon Kim. "Immunostimulatory Pickering emulsion for oral vaccine delivery." International Journal of Pharmaceutics (2025): 125890. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378517325007276

“To overcome gastric acid degradation and ensure robust immune activation, a novel Pickering emulsion stabilized by poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles was developed for the co-delivery of vaccine antigens and adjuvants via the oral route. Pickering emulsions, stabilized by solid particles, can enhance stability and protect antigens from gastric degradation. We encapsulated a TLR7/8 agonist R848 in PLGA nanoparticles and fabricated Pickering emulsions (R848-PLGA-NP@PE) to boost immune activation, and further prepared model antigen Ovalbumin (OVA) loaded Pickering emulsion formulation (R848-PLGA-NP@PE-OVA) to induce antigen-specific immune responses. R848-PLGA-NPs can improve vaccine efficacy by serving both as a stabilizer and an adjuvant, activating antigen-presenting cells (APCs). R848-PLGA-NP@PE-OVA exhibited a uniform particle size (245 nm), stable zeta potential (−40 mV), and high antigen encapsulation efficiency (>80 %), that were tested in Simulated Intestinal Fluid (SIF) and Simulated Gastric Fluid (SGF). R848-PLGA-NP@PE exhibited enhanced uptake by and activation of dendritic cells compared to control groups. In vivo, R848-PLGA-NP@PE significantly improved CD4 + T cell, CD8 + T cell, and NK cell activation. Notably, granzyme B expression in NK cells reached 2.1 times the level of the PBS group and 1.45 times that of the Free OVA + R848 group. The OVA-specific IgG level in the R848-PLGA-NP@PE-OVA group was approximately 3.9 times that of the PBS group and 2.5 times that of the free R848 + OVA group. Fecal OVA-specific IgA levels were significantly higher than control group. The combined data suggests that Pickering emulsions fabricated with PLGA-NPs are versatile oral vaccine delivery platforms to induce cellular and humoral immune responses.”

PLGA (https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AP121#h)
PLGA-PEG-COOH (https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AI166#h)
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July 14-18: meet at 2025 CRS AM&E Poster #274
BPR Akina's Free Scientific Conference (West Lafayette, 9/30/25: (https://akinainc.com/bprconference/)

There are many ways polyesters can be synthesized. Researchers at Tsinghua University and Shandong University used polyvalerolactone (Cat# AP299) from PolySciTech Division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) to research novel techniques in polymerization. Read more: Wang, Jiale, Xu Yan, Shuang Zheng, Rou Wen, Yiling Chen, Weinan Yang, Junting Sheng, Qiong Wu, Fuqing Wu, and Guo-Qiang Chen. "Biosynthesis of poly (δ-valerolactone)(PVL) by Halomonas bluephagenesis." Chemical Engineering Journal (2025): 165410. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1385894725062461

“Microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are promising for wide applications including food and medical packaging, drug delivery systems, coatings and bone scaffolds. The diverse properties of PHA are dependent on the variety of hydroxy fatty acid monomers. Microbial synthesis of homopolymers has been challenging except for poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). In this study, an engineered metabolic pathway in Halomonas bluephagenesis was constructed to produce poly(5-hydroxyvalerate) (P5HV) or poly(δ-valerolactone) (PVL). PHA synthase PhaCBP-MCPF4 (PhaCun) and 4-hydroxybutyrate CoA-transferase (AbfT) were identified as suitable for the artificial metabolic pathway. Deletion on the endogenous phaCAB for poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) synthesis was crucial to reduce 3-hydroxybutyric acid (3HB) monomer ratio in P(3HB-5HV) copolymer from 36% to 0.2% when expressing abfT and phaCun on plasmid pWJL55, or from 38% to 18% when expressing abfT and phaCun on genome. Additionally, deletion of the endogenous acyl-CoA thioesterase gene tesB enhanced 5HV molar ratio from 75% to 81% in P(3HB-5HV), as it removed the CoA moiety from 5HV-CoA. Subsequently, deletion of endogenous fadB gene encoding enoyl-CoA hydratase formed a near PVL homopolymer. The resulted H. bluephagenesis JL03 was grown to 23 g/L dry cell weight containing 58% PVL after 44 h cultivation in a 7-L bioreactor. The PVL exhibited better mechanical properties compared to chemically synthesized PVL, with an elongation at break of 521%, a Young’s modulus of 293 MPa, and a higher molecular weight of 149 kDa.”

PVL (AP299) (https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AP299#h)
Benchtop to Bedside with MidWest GMP https://www.akinainc.com/midwestgmp/
Corbion Purasorb® Polymers: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/purasorb/
Ashland-TM Polymer Products: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/ashland/
July 14-18: meet at 2025 CRS AM&E Poster #274
BPR Akina's Free Scientific Conference (West Lafayette, 9/30/25: (https://akinainc.com/bprconference/)

Immunotherapy is the process by which the body’s own immune response is utilized to attack cancer cells. Researchers at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center used mPEG-PLGA (AK104), PLGA-Rhodamine (AV027), and PLGA-CY5 (AV034) from PolySciTech Division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) to develop nanoparticles for immunotherapy delivery. This research holds promise to improve treatment against cancer. Read more: Au, Kin Man, Siqing Li, Tian Zhang, and Andrew Z. Wang. "Biologically targeted dual adaptive and innate nano-Immunotherapy for clear cell renal cell carcinoma treatment." Molecular Cancer 24, no. 1 (2025): 1-28. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12943-025-02382-y

“Immunotherapy treatments have significantly improved metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treatment outcomes. Despite recent advancements, the rates of durable response to immunotherapy remain low, and the toxicity profiles of treatment continue to be high. To address these challenges, we report the development of a human carbonic anhydrase-IX (hCA-9)-targeted multifunctional immunotherapy nanoparticles (MINPs) aimed at improving treatment efficacy and reducing toxicity. We hypothesized that these MINPs will facilitate the recognition and elimination of hCA-9-expressing tumor cells by both adaptive immune cells (cytotoxic CD8+ T cells) and innate immune cells (natural killer (NK) cells). Non-targeted and hCA-9-targeted MINPs were prepared by conjugating anti-CA-9, anti-4-1BB, and anti-CD27 antibodies to poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) diblock copolymer NPs. The abilities of different MINPs in activating CD8+ T cells, NK cells, and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMCs) were assessed. In vivo efficacy and mechanistic studies were conducted to evaluate the anticancer activities of different MINPs in immunocompetent hCA-9-transfected mouse RCC tumor models and human ccRCC xenograft models using humanized mice. We also investigated the impact of aging on anticancer efficacy of hCA-9-targeted MINPs in humanized mice. The immune-related side effects associated with the systemic administration of hCA-9-targeted MINPs were characterized. Human CA-9-targeted multifunctionalized immunotherapy NPs (MINPs) functionalized with anti-CA-9, anti-4-1BB, and anti-CD27 antibodies outperformed hCA-9-targeted bifunctionalized immunotherapy NPs (BINPs), non-targeted BINPs, and the combination of free antibodies in activating mouse CD8+ T cells and NK cells to kill hCA-9-expressing RCC cells in vitro. In vivo correlative study confirmed that tumor targeting and effective spatiotemporal coactivation of the 4-1BB and CD27 pathways in CD8+ T cells and NK cells are essential for robust antitumor activity. Furthermore, hCA-9-targeted MINPs, but not the combination of free antibodies, inhibited the growth of human ccRCC in hPBMC-humanized mouse models. The anticancer activity of MINPs in mice humanized with hPBMCs from older donors was slightly weaker than in those humanized with younger donors. More importantly, the MINP formulation effectively prevented the hepatotoxicity associated with the systemic administration of immune checkpoint agonistic antibodies. This study demonstrates that MINPs are a versatile platform capable of facilitating immune cell engagement and the eradication of targeted ccRCC without causing systemic immune-related side effects.”

mPEG-PLGA (AK104) (https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AK104#h)

PLGA-Rhodamine (AV027) (https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AV027#h)

PLGA-CY5 (AV034) (https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AV034#h)

Akina, Inc. launches new GMP manufacturing service available to outside customers https://www.akinainc.com/midwestgmp/

Corbion Purasorb® Polymers: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/purasorb/

Ashland-TM Polymer Products: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/ashland/

BPR Akina's Free Scientific Conference (West Lafayette, 9/30/25: (https://akinainc.com/bprconference/)

Hydrogels are hydrated polymer networks useful for a wide range of biomedical applications. Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and University of Pittsburgh used chitosan derivatives (KITO-1, KITO-9, and KITO-11) from PolySciTech Division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) to research topological adhesion based hydrogels. This research holds promise to provide for a wide range of biomedical applications.Read more: Sun, Jiatai, Qihan Liu, and Jiawei Yang. "Mixing Polymers and Polymer Networks for Topological Adhesion." Available at SSRN 5293526. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5293526

“Adhesion between polymer networks is important for a wide range of medical applications. Established adhesion methods mostly focus on the chemistry design of interfacial bonds to connect two polymer networks. By contrast, a recently developed adhesion method, called topological adhesion, uses stitch polymers to diffuse into two polymer networks and gelate to a new polymer network that connects them through topological entanglement. The prerequisite of topological adhesion is the mixing of stitch polymers and polymer networks. Understanding the mixing process and conditions will guide the design of topological adhesion systems to meet diverse adhesion requirements and situations. In this paper, we combine theoretical modeling and experiments to study the mixing of polymers with polymer networks. The theoretical model is set up as mixing stitch polymers with an in-plane constrained polymer network to replicate the mixing process of topological adhesion. We take a thermodynamic approach to develop the model and determine the concentration of mixing polymers under various material parameters of polymers and polymer networks. We first study two limiting cases in which the stitch polymer is one monomeric size and infinite size. We then provide a set of results on the general mixing cases. We further conduct experiments by immersing in-plane constrained hydrogels in fluorescence-labeled polymer solutions and characterizing the mixing concentration. The experiment results agree well with the theoretical prediction, except for cases with extremely low polymer concentrations. We finally discuss the design guidelines for enhancing the mixing of polymers and polymer networks for topological adhesion. Keywords: Topological adhesion, polymer, hydrogel, mixing”

Kitopure (Cat#KITO): https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/Kitopure/

Akina, Inc. launches new GMP manufacturing service available to outside customers https://www.akinainc.com/midwestgmp/

Corbion Purasorb® Polymers: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/purasorb/

Ashland-TM Polymer Products: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/ashland/

BPR Akina's Free Scientific Conference (West Lafayette, 9/30/25: (https://akinainc.com/bprconference/)

A powerful tool is the ability for nanoparticles to specifically bind to receptors in-vivo for drug delivery. Researchers at University of Toronto, Imperial College of London, University of Washington, California Institute of Technology, and University of Waterloo used PLGA-PEG-Biotin (Cat# AI167) from PolySciTech Division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) to develop nanoparticles and test these along with many other configurations to determine the impact of serum binding. This research holds promise to improve drug delivery techniques in the future. Read more: Stordy, Benjamin P., Zahra Sepahi, Gabriel D. Patrón, Wei Yang, Alexander D. Goodson, Colin Blackadar, Anthony J. Tavares et al. "The Binding Affinities of Serum Proteins to Nanoparticles." Journal of the American Chemical Society (2025). https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jacs.5c02576



“Nanoparticles can be coated with targeting ligands to deliver medical agents to specific cells. Serum protein adsorption affects the binding of nanoparticles to target cells. We hypothesized that serum proteins and target receptors compete for binding to nanoparticles. We tested the serum protein binding affinity of 251 nanoparticle designs. Here, we discovered that the binding affinities of serum proteins and receptors to a nanoparticle determine whether it can bind to target cells. We developed and validated a quantitative metric, the binding ratio, to identify nanoparticle designs that can bind to targets in serum with 90% sensitivity and 88% specificity. Using the binding ratio as a numerical guideline for nanoparticle design enabled us to improve the efficiency of nanoparticle binding to target cellular receptors.”

PLGA-PEG-Biotin (Cat# AI167): https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AI167#h

Akina, Inc. launches new GMP manufacturing service available to outside customers https://www.akinainc.com/midwestgmp/

Corbion Purasorb® Polymers: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/purasorb/

Ashland-TM Polymer Products: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/ashland/

BPR Akina's Free Scientific Conference (West Lafayette, 9/30/25: (https://akinainc.com/bprconference/)

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease caused by the breakdown of cartilage. Researchers at China Three Gorges University used PCL (cat# AP257) from PolySciTech Division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) to develop microparticles to deliver psoralen to joints for arthritis treatment. Read more: Wang, Yanhua, Lixian Zhu, Zhijie Gao, Tengyue Zhang, Hechao Zhao, and Dexian Zeng. "Psoralen-Loaded Polycaprolactone Microspheres: A Ph-Responsive Drug Carrier for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis." Available at SSRN 5277165. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5277165

“Developing novel drug carriers for delivery of psoralen (PSO) is crucial to inhibit the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The goal of this work is to develop PSO-loaded polycaprolactone (PCL) microspheres through a single emulsion solvent evaporation route, helping to release drug in a controllable manner and thereby improve its bioavailability. The resulting PCL@PSO microspheres are characterized by multiple physicochemical techniques. Results exhibit the loading of PSO into PCL increases the size and specific surface area. Also, the encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of PCL@PSO microspheres are (87.77 ± 0.07)% and (12.28 ± 0.01)%, respectively. Release experiments show such microspheres exhibit pH-responsive drug kinetics, predominantly releasing PSO in alkaline environments in contrast with neutral or acidic conditions. This release pattern is conducive to inhibit inflammatory response whilst promote osteanagenesis in bone microenvironment. Cell experiments demonstrate PCL@PSO microspheres are cytocompatible with BMSCs cell but strongly toxic to RBL-2H3 cell. Mechanistically, mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, as evidenced by the up-regulation of pro-apoptosis proteins such as Caspase3, Cyto-c and Bax, is activated by PCL@PSO via increased ROS and reduced mitochondria membrane potentials. Further, the up-regulation of APC and LATS1 and the down-regulation of OIP5 are contributed to RBL-2H3 cell apoptosis. Moreover, PCL@PSO could down-regulate histamine receptor HRH1 expression in RBL-2H3 cell, thereby inhibiting inflammation expansion. Conclusively, it is feasible to use PCL@PSO microspheres as candidate micro-carriers to deliver PSO, terminally benefitting to inhibit inflammatory response whilst promote osteanagenesis, especially for individuals suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. Keywords: PCL, PSO, Drug delivery, disease therapy”

PCL (Cat# AP257): https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AP257#h

Akina, Inc. launches new GMP manufacturing service available to outside customers https://www.akinainc.com/midwestgmp/

Corbion Purasorb® Polymers: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/purasorb/

Ashland-TM Polymer Products: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/ashland/

BPR Akina's Free Scientific Conference (West Lafayette, 9/30/25: (https://akinainc.com/bprconference/)

Drug delivery devices are a convenient way to maintain a specific patient’s drug dose in their bloodstream for therapeutic effect. Researchers at Harvard and MIT used PLLA (Cat# AP007) from PolySciTech Division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) to develop a long-lasting contraceptive which enables the delivery of levonorgestrel over multiple years. Read more: Li, Jason, Benjamin G. Clark, Parmiss Khosravi, Colin Cotter, Jia Y. Liang, Susan R. Ling, Yuyan Su et al. "Monolithic Shape-Shifting Absorbable Implants for Long-Term Contraception." bioRxiv (2025): 2025-05. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.05.18.654764.abstract

“Reversible contraceptives empower women to prevent unintended pregnancies and enable family planning. However, the need for frequent dosing with pills or injections often leads to suboptimal medication adherence and reduced effectiveness–an issue common to many chronic conditions. Long-acting drug delivery implants offer a compelling alternative by enabling autonomous, multi-year drug release, thereby improving real-world adherence and treatment outcomes. However, user acceptability and access are limited by need for invasive insertion and surgical end-of-life removal, particularly in low-resource settings, as well as by limited drug loading and suboptimal drug utilization efficiency, which constrain both the duration of therapy and the range of drugs that can be effectively delivered. To address these limitations, we developed the Monolithic Shape-shifting Absorbable Implants for Chronic Care (MoSAIC) platform–a minimally invasive, fully bioresorbable system that integrates compacted drug formulations with a space-efficient device architecture. This approach reduces implant size, eliminates the need for surgical removal, and prolongs therapeutic duration compared to existing implants. We develop compacted formulations of the contraceptive drug levonorgestrel (LNG), and other poorly water-solubility drugs, demonstrating exceptional drug loading (100% w/w) and multi-year sustained drug release via surface-mediated dissolution in rats. When incorporated into MoSAIC devices, these formulations enable high-efficiency drug loading and zero-order drug release kinetics with geometrically tunable rates and durations. As a result, MoSAIC systems can be designed to be smaller, less invasive, and/or longer lasting than current contraceptive implants such as Jadelle® and Nexplanon®. The MoSAIC platform expands access to reversible contraception and supports long-term medication adherence, with the potential to improve health outcomes and quality of life. More broadly, it provides a flexible approach for delivering other potent, low-solubility therapeutics and lays the foundation for a “dose it and forget it” paradigm in chronic disease management, where adherence is designed into the therapy itself.”

PLLA (Cat# AP007): https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AP007#h

Akina, Inc. launches new GMP manufacturing service available to outside customers https://www.akinainc.com/midwestgmp/

Corbion Purasorb® Polymers: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/purasorb/
Ashland-TM Polymer Products: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/ashland/

BPR Akina's Free Scientific Conference (West Lafayette, 9/30/25: (https://akinainc.com/bprconference/)

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative condition which affects the brain. Researchers at North Dakota State University used PEG-PLGA (cat# AK010) to develop nanoparticles for delivery of cannabidiol and ApoE2 as part of Alzheimer’s treatment. This research holds promise to provide treatment against this degenerative brain disease. Read more: Mahanta, Arun Kumar, Bivek Chaulagain, Avinash Gothwal, and Jagdish Singh. "Engineered PLGA Nanoparticles for Brain-Targeted Codelivery of Cannabidiol and pApoE2 through the Intranasal Route for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease." ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering (2025). https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsbiomaterials.5c00465

“Neuroinflammation induced by the accumulation of amyloid beta plaques expedites the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Reducing Aβ plaques and associated neuroinflammation could potentially help to delay the progression of AD. Cannabidiol (CBD) is well-known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective nature, and the ApoE2 is effective in binding and clearing Aβ plaques in the brain. Therefore, codelivery of CBD and pApoE2 to the brain would be a promising therapeutic approach in developing effective therapeutics against AD. This research aims to design a nonviral delivery agent that delivers both drugs and genes to the brain through a noninvasive intranasal route. We have developed mPEG–PLGA nanoparticles coated with mannose, a brain-targeting ligand, to deliver CBD and pApoE2. The designed CBD-loaded coated nanoparticles showed an average diameter of 179.3 ± 4.57 nm and a zeta potential of 30.3 ± 6.45 mV. The coated nanoparticles prolonged the CBD release and showed a 93% release of its payload in 30 days. CBD-loaded nanoparticles, as compared to the free CBD, significantly reduced lipopolysaccharide and amyloid beta-induced inflammation in immortalized microglia cells. Cytotoxicity of the designed nanoparticles was assessed against brain endothelial cells (bEND.3) and found to be nontoxic in nature. The mannose-conjugated chitosan-coated nanoparticles were cationic and able to bind with the pApoE2, protecting the encapsulated pApoE2 from enzymatic degradation. Quantitative in vitro transfection efficiency study in primary astrocytes and primary neurons revealed that the ApoE2 expression level is significantly (P < 0.0001) higher for mPLGA-CBD-MC/pApoE2 than the control. The ApoE2 expression level in the brain of C57BL6/J mice was significantly (P < 0.0001) increased after intranasal administration of mPLGA-CBD-MC/pApoE2. Henceforth, the mannose-conjugated chitosan-coated mPLGA nanoparticles could serve as a nonviral delivery system to deliver both drugs and genes to the brain through the intranasal route for the management of AD.”

PLGA (Cat# AK010): https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AK010#h

Akina, Inc. launches new GMP manufacturing service available to outside customers https://www.akinainc.com/midwestgmp/

Corbion Purasorb® Polymers: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/purasorb/

Ashland-TM Polymer Products: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/ashland/

BPR Akina's Free Scientific Conference (West Lafayette, 9/30/25: (https://akinainc.com/bprconference/)

Sivelestat is a drug against neutrophil activation to reduce fibrosis. Researchers at Sungkyunkwan University, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Yeungnam University Medical Center, MediArk Inc., Chungbuk National University, Yeungnam University Medical Center used PLGA-PEG-Mal (cat# AI020) from PolySciTech Division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) to develop nanoparticles to deliver Sivelestat for fibrosis treatment. Read more: Lee, Hye-Jin, Na Kyeong Lee, Jisun Kim, Jungbum Kim, Donghyuk Seo, Ha Eun Shin, Jongsu Kim et al. "Sequential nanoparticle therapy targeting neutrophil hyperactivation to prevent neutrophil-induced pulmonary fibrosis." Journal of Nanobiotechnology 23, no. 1 (2025): 1-19. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12951-025-03421-y

“Pulmonary fibrosis, a major complication of severe COVID-19 and post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), is driven by excessive neutrophil activation and the formation of neutrophil extracellular trap (NET). This study presents a sequential nanoparticle-based therapy combining DNase-I-loaded polydopamine nanoparticles (DNase-I@PDA NPs) with Sivelestat-encapsulated PLGA nanoparticles (Siv@PLGA NPs) to target both NETs and neutrophil elastase (NE) activity. DNase-I@PDA NPs were aerosolized to the lungs, facilitating NET clearance and reducing the fibrotic microenvironment, followed by intravenous administration of Siv@PLGA NPs to inhibit NE activity and prevent neutrophil hyperactivation. In a murine model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pulmonary fibrosis, this dual approach significantly decreased fibrotic lesions, collagen deposition, and myofibroblast activation. Notably, treatment with the nanoparticles led to substantial improvements in pulmonary function. In neutrophils isolated from COVID-19 patients, the combined nanoparticle therapy reduced circulating cell-free DNA, NET, NE, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels, while enhancing neutrophil viability and reducing inflammatory responses. These findings highlight the efficacy of DNase-I@PDA NPs and Siv@PLGA NPs in addressing both acute inflammation and chronic fibrosis by simultaneously targeting NET formation and neutrophil hyperactivation. This dual nanoparticle therapy represents a promising clinical strategy for treating COVID-19-associated pulmonary complications, including PASC, by preventing long-term fibrotic progression and promoting lung recovery.”

PLGA (Cat# AI020): https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AI020#h

Akina, Inc. launches new GMP manufacturing service available to outside customers https://www.akinainc.com/midwestgmp/

Corbion Purasorb® Polymers: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/purasorb/

Ashland-TM Polymer Products: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/ashland/

BPR Akina's Free Scientific Conference (West Lafayette, 9/30/25: (https://akinainc.com/bprconference/)

A prodrug is a chemical in which the therapeutic molecule is attached by a degradable linker to a polymer. Researchers at Brooklyn College, University of Vermont, Nuvance Health, and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai used PLGA (Cat# AP037, AP081) from PolySciTech Division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) to develop paclitaxel conjugated PLGA for cancer therapy. Read more: Dragulska, Sylwia A., Maxier Acosta Santiago, Sabina Swierczek, Linus Chuang, Olga Camacho-Vanegas, Sandra Catalina Camacho, Maria M. Padron-Rhenals, John A. Martignetti, and Aneta J. Mieszawska. "Synthesis and Characterization of Poly (Lactic-Co-Glycolic Acid)–Paclitaxel (PLGA-PTX) Nanoparticles Evaluated in Ovarian Cancer Models." Pharmaceutics 17, no. 6 (2025): 689. https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/6/689

“We developed a novel biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) polymer chemically modified with paclitaxel (PTX) to form a PLGA-PTX hybrid. Pre-modification of PTX enhanced its loading in PLGA-PTX nanoparticles (NPs). Background/Objectives: PTX is one of the most effective chemotherapy agents used in cancer therapy. The primary mode of PTX’s action is the hyperstabilization of microtubules leading to cell growth arrest. Although highly potent, the drug is water insoluble and requires the Cremophor EL excipient. The toxic effects of the free drug (e.g., neurotoxicity) as well as its solubilizing agent are well established. Thus, there is strong clinical rationale and need for exploring alternative PTX delivery approaches, retaining biological activity and minimizing systemic effects. Methods: The PTX modification method features reacting the C-2′ and C-7 residues with a linker (succinic anhydride) to produce easily accessible carboxyl groups on the PTX for enhanced coupling to the hydroxyl group of PLGA. The PLGA-PTX hybrid, formed via esterification reaction, was used to formulate lipid-coated PLGA-PTX NPs. As proof of concept, the PLGA-PTX NPs were tested in ovarian cancer (OvCA) models, including several patient-derived cell lines (PDCLs), one of which was generated from a platinum-resistant patient. Results: The PLGA-PTX NPs critically remained stable in water and serum while enabling slow drug release. Importantly, PLGA-PTX NPs demonstrated biological activity. Conclusions: We suggest that this approach offers both a new and effective PTX formulation and a possible path towards the development of a new generation of OvCA treatment. Keywords: poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid); paclitaxel; nanoparticles; ovarian cancer”

PLGA (Cat# AP037, AP081): https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AP037#h, https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AP081#h

Akina, Inc. launches new GMP manufacturing service available to outside customers https://www.akinainc.com/midwestgmp/

Corbion Purasorb® Polymers: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/purasorb/

Ashland-TM Polymer Products: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/ashland/

BPR Akina's Free Scientific Conference (West Lafayette, 9/30/25: (https://akinainc.com/bprconference/)

Phototherapy is related to the process of carefully and precisely heating certain parts of the body for therapeutic effect. In this process particles are introduced and then activated by an external factor, such as near-infrared light, to induce temperature change. Researchers at Cornell University used PLGA (cat# AP062) from PolySciTech Division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) to develop light-activated particles. This research holds promise to provide improved phototherapy in the future. Read more: Kwon, Jinha, Xinzhu Huang, Jaejun Lee, Jiyoung Kim, Prithwish Biswas, Keehun Kim, Chi-Yong Eom, Nozomi Nishimura, and Zhiting Tian. "Biodegradable PLGA Particles with Confined Water for Safe Photothermal Biomodulation." ACS nano (2025). https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsnano.5c06276

“Photothermal biomodulation is an emerging technique that leverages the deep optical penetration of near-infrared light in biological tissues, enabling a range of diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Given that photothermal agents are used within the body, ensuring long-term safety is essential, necessitating the development of safer, biodegradable agents. In this work, we developed biodegradable photothermal particles based on the FDA-approved polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) polymer and confined water. We hypothesize that confined water acts as a photothermal transducer due to its lower heat capacity compared to surrounding bulk water, while the polymer layer provides thermal insulation, effectively retaining the generated heat within the particles and creating a thermal gradient in their immediate vicinity. Fluorescent thermometry and IR camera results demonstrate the strong photothermal performance of the developed particles, enabling localized heating instead of global heating in surrounding environments. Additionally, we confirm the presence of confined water within the particles through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results. Further in vitro validation using lysozyme enzyme activity tests and cell viability experiments with EO771 cancer cells expressing LanYFP fluorescent protein confirmed the biocompatibility and efficacy of the developed particles. These particles successfully induced localized heating in the cellular environment without compromising cell viability, making them highly promising for safe biomedical applications in photothermal therapy and biomodulation.”

PLGA (Cat# AP062): https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AP062#h


Akina, Inc. launches new GMP manufacturing service available to outside customers https://www.akinainc.com/midwestgmp/

Corbion Purasorb® Polymers: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/purasorb/

Ashland-TM Polymer Products: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/ashland/

BPR Akina's Free Scientific Conference (West Lafayette, 9/30/25: (https://akinainc.com/bprconference/)

Q fever is a potentially disease caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetiid that infects farm animals and can cross to humans. Researchers at University of California used PLGA-PEG-PLGA (cat# AK012, AK019, AK091) from PolySciTech Division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) to develop a thermogel delivery system for antigen delivery. This research holds promise to prevent this disease. Read more: Wang, Lu, Aaron Ramirez, Jiin Felgner, Enya Li, Jenny E. Hernandez-Davies, Anthony E. Gregory, Philip L. Felgner, Ali Mohraz, D. Huw Davies, and Szu-Wen Wang. "Development of a single-dose Q fever vaccine with an injectable nanoparticle-loaded hydrogel: effect of sustained co-delivery of antigen and adjuvant." Drug Delivery 32, no. 1 (2025): 2476144. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10717544.2025.2476144

“Q fever is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by Coxiella burnetii, and there is currently no FDA-approved vaccine for human use. The whole-cell inactivated vaccine Q-VAX, which is only licensed in Australia, has a risk of causing severe adverse reactions, making subunit vaccines a good alternative. However, most subunit antigens are weak immunogens and require two or more immunizations to elicit an adequate level of immunity. We hypothesized that by combining a nanoparticle to co-deliver both a protein antigen and an adjuvant, together with a hydrogel depot for sustained-release kinetics, a single-administration of a nanoparticle-loaded hydrogel vaccine could elicit a strong and durable immune response. We synthesized and characterized a protein nanoparticle (CBU-CpG-E2) that co-delivered the immunodominant protein antigen CBU1910 (CBU) from C. burnetii and the adjuvant CpG1826 (CpG). For sustained release, we examined different mixtures of PLGA-PEG-PLGA (PPP) polymers and identified a PPP solution that was injectable at room temperature, formed a hydrogel at physiological temperature, and continuously released protein for 8 weeks in vivo. Single-dose vaccine formulations were administered to mice, and IgG, IgG1, and IgG2c levels were determined over time. The vaccine combining both the CBU-CpG-E2 nanoparticles and the PPP hydrogel elicited a stronger and more durable humoral immune response than the soluble bolus nanoparticle vaccines (without hydrogel) and the free antigen and free adjuvant-loaded hydrogel vaccines (without nanoparticles), and it yielded a balanced IgG2c/IgG1 response. This study demonstrates the potential advantages of using this modular PPP hydrogel/nanoparticle system to elicit improved immune responses against infectious pathogens.”

PLGA-PEG-PLGA (Cat# AK012, AK019, AK091): https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AK019#h

Akina, Inc. launches new GMP manufacturing service available to outside customers https://www.akinainc.com/midwestgmp/

Corbion Purasorb® Polymers: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/purasorb/

Ashland-TM Polymer Products: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/ashland/

Pancreatic cancer has poor prognosis due to little symptoms in the early stages and difficulty of treatment due to poor drug uptake. Recently, researchers at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem used PLGA-CY5 (cat# AV034) from PolySciTech Division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) in development of nanoparticles for SiRNA delivery. This research holds promise to provide for treatment of a highly lethal form of cancer. Read more: Agbaria, Majd, Doaa Jbara-Agbaria, and Gershon Golomb. "Localized delivery of gel-embedded siRNA nanoparticles for pancreatic cancer treatment: Formulation, biodistribution and bioactivity in mice." Precision Nanomedicine 8, no. 2 (2025): 1482-1500. https://precisionnanomedicine.com/article/136412.pdf

“Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most lethal malignancies, primarily due to its dense extracellular matrix and poor vascularization, which limit effective drug accumulation and therapy. Here, we describe a local siRNA delivery system using thermosensitive hydrogel-embedded nanoparticles (NPs). siRNA against VAV1 (siVAV1), a key protein implicated in PC, was encapsulated in poly(lactic-coglycolic acid) (PLGA)-based NPs decorated with an ApoB-derived peptide as the targeting ligand. The ApoB-targeted NPs exhibited optimal physicochemical properties, including nanoscale size, low poly- dispersity index, and a neutral charge. The sustained-release siRNA-NPs were incorporated into a thermosensitive hydrogel (poloxamer) and locally injected into the pancreas of tumor-bearing mice. Treatment with targeted NPs in gel (tNPs@G) resulted in a notable increase in accumulation within the tumor (1.9-fold) and spleen (1.3-fold) 72 hours post-injection, with minimal systemic exposure and no local cytotoxicity. Intra-tumoral implantation of the gel-laden siVAV1 NPs in PC-bearing mice led to a significant reduction in tumor growth and volume (2.6-fold), mediated by the inhibition of both VAV1 mRNA and protein, and improved survival rates. The developed local siRNA delivery system provides a minimally invasive and effective therapeutic approach for PC, addressing key drug delivery barriers.”

PLGA (Cat# AV034): https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/polyvivo/index.php?highlight=AV034#h

Akina, Inc. launches new GMP manufacturing service available to outside customers https://www.akinainc.com/midwestgmp/

Corbion Purasorb® Polymers: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/purasorb/

Ashland-TM Polymer Products: https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/products/ashland/