Developing nanoparticle formulations in powder form with excellent redispersibility: facing a major challenge in Nanomedicine

Abstract

Research works devoted to bioapplications of nanoparticles are usually carried out in liquid suspensions. However, aqueous nanoparticle suspensions present many sources of instabilities like premature drug leakage, denaturation/hydrolysis of loaded drugs/conjugated biomolecules, particle hydrolysis/etching, and aggregation or fusion depending on the nature of the nanoparticle. A common way to overcome these issues is to work with nanoformulations in solid form (by removing water or solvent), which are frequently obtained by freeze-drying (lyophilization). Here we aim at developing strategies for producing nanoparticle-based formulations in powder form, that can be stored over long periods (months to years) preserving their physicochemical features, and presenting excellent redispersibility in complex biological media. In addition, the nanoparticles should maintain their nanomedical action (for instance, drug delivery) over the entire process. Finally, the whole nanoformulation should not exhibit any evidence of toxic effects (at least at in vitro level in this project stage, like cytotoxicity, hemotoxicity, among others). (AU)