Nano-Therapeutics for Peripheral Neuropathy

To address the DHP need for a controlled, target-specific delivery system for topical treatment of peripheral neuropathy (PN), Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop Nano Therapeutics for Peripheral Neuropathy (NATPEN). The NATPEN will include a nanocarrier (NC) loaded with specific drugs, a biocompatible gel to contain the NC, and a microneedle patch for transdermal delivery of the therapeutic. The innovations in the NATPEN as a topical treatment modality will enable minimally invasive, extended, targeted delivery of drugs to the peripheral terminals of the sensory neurons. The NATPEN modality has minimal toxicity and is easy to administer. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of the NATPEN concept by developing a prototype of a topical drug delivery system capable of transporting the therapeutic through skin and having nerve targeting capability and controlled release of the drug. In Phase II, POC plans to optimize, demonstrate, and validate the therapeutic modality in animal models of PN. The FDA approval pathway will be outlined and considered at each developmental stage.