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Tool for non-invasive delivery of central nervous system drug candidates

Award Number: R43MH099720
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 11/20/2012
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 10/31/2014

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Tool for non-invasive delivery of central nervous system drug candidates - DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Animal models of disease are transforming preclinical research, allowing critical insights into disease mechanisms and evaluation of new therapeutics. While the utility and availability of animal models in research is swiftly expanding often the research tools necessary to optimally exploit these models are available only to the small group of individuals that developed them. Although NIH policies encourage sharing of data and tools generated using NIH-funding, the significant investments necessary to improve and disseminate research tools often limit the sharing of these innovative tools. The development of neurological and mental health drugs requires preclinical testing in multiple animal models to demonstrate efficacy and safety and to elucidate corresponding mechanistic details of therapeutic action. Drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS) to target neurological diseases is particularly problematic because the blood-brain barrier (BBB) prevents most compounds from crossing into the brain from the blood. Although direct intracerebral ventricle (ICV) injection is widely used, it is inefficient and may interfere with pharmacodynamic evaluation in animal models of disease. Additionally, the delivery of large biological molecules such as protein therapeutics or antibodies is complicated by uncertain distribution throughout the brain after ICV. While other methods of animal CNS delivery exist, these methods are not precise or require complex surgery. Thus, the difficulty of distributing drugs to the central nervous system severely limits drug development efforts in preclinical animal models. Our novel pressurized olfactory delivery (POD) device allows non-invasive, targeted delivery of drugs and biologics to the CNS using the nose-to-brain route of the olfactory region to bypass the BBB. The POD device is ideal for preclinical animal studies because it precisely targets the central nervous system without disrupting the BBB and is scalable for use across a spectrum of animal models. Refinement of our bench-use POD animal devices for wide-spread preclinical research use will require several stages. First, we will develop machined prototypes of the POD devices and verify that they are comparable to the bench-use versions. Once verified, we will develop and verify molded prototypes of each machined POD device. Finally, we will validate the molded prototypes and associated in vitro testing methodologies via an extensive battery of tests to ensure they meet or exceed specifications for manufacturing. The animal POD devices, if commercialized, would benefit neurological and mental health disease researchers by making preclinical animal studies more efficient and clarifying the effects of the therapeutic versus the effects of the delivery intervention.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2014 ( Subtotal = $328,793 )
2014	2014	IMPEL NEUROPHARMA INC	867 SOUTHWEST SHOREMONT AVENUE	NORMANDY PARK	WA	98166	KING	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	2	11/14/2013	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$328,793
														Subtotal = $328,793

Issue Date FY: 2013 ( Subtotal = $346,264 )
2013	2013	IMPEL NEUROPHARMA INC	867 SOUTHWEST SHOREMONT AVENUE	NORMANDY PARK	WA	98166	KING	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	11/20/2012	NEW	$346,264
														Subtotal = $346,264

Grand Total All Awards = $675,057

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Tool for non-invasive delivery of central nervous system drug candidates

Award Number: R43MH099720

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 11/20/2012

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 10/31/2014

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