Celanese Announces a Research Agreement with Johns Hopkins University to Advance Sustained Ocular Drug Delivery to the Suprachoroidal Space

Specialty materials and chemical company Celanese announced an agreement with Johns Hopkins University Department of Ophthalmology to collaborate on a study of sustained drug delivery to the suprachoroidal space in the eye.

A bioinert implant based on the Celanese's VitalDose platform may provide sustained ocular drug delivery for greater than 6 months, providing an alternative approach for reliable, continuous dosing and reducing the treatment burden for the patient, according to a company news release.

The VitalDose Drug Delivery Platform independently has proven biocompatibility and achieves greater than 6 months release of mAbs, peptides, small molecules, and RNAi therapeutics, making it suitable for potential delivering a variety of therapeutics used for ophthalmologic conditions.

“Our collaboration with John Hopkins Department of Ophthalmology allows us to seek out scientific advancements with potential to improve patient health in ophthalmology,” Cyonna Holmes, global business strategy leader for ophthalmology at Celanese, said in a company news release. “The VitalDose technology platform has potential well beyond its present commercialized applications. That’s why we explore collaborations that cross traditional boundaries with the goal to realize improvements in patient compliance and health through innovative treatments in areas like ophthalmology, women’s health, rare diseases and the central nervous system.”

Scientists at the Celanese Development & Feasibility Lab will independently conduct portions of the planned research in a dedicated pharmaceutical facility. Since opening in 2021, the lab has provided customized support to accelerate customers’ long-acting drug delivery development programs.