Journal of Nanomedicine & Nanotechnology

Nano medical products: Challenges, considerations and strategies

13^th International Conference and Exhibition on Nanomedicine and Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology

July 24-25, 2017 | Rome, Italy

Sabrina Gioria

JRC- European Commission, Directorate F â?? Health, Consumers and Reference Materials, Italy

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Nanomed Nanotechnol

Abstract:

The rapid progress in the field of medical products involving nanotechnology makes the development of a coherent approach for their regulation a challenge. Robust and validated measurement methods are needed to allow informed regulatory decisions on their safety. Identifying critical physicochemical parameter that can have an impact on the products' quality and safety is extremely important. In particular, stability, size (-distribution), free vs. encapsulated drug content were considered as key parameters contributing to the biodistribution, pharmacokinetics (PK) and toxicity of nanoformulated drugs. Other parameters with an influence on the biological system are surface charge, surface chemistry, solubility and partition properties. Case studies of advanced methods for size-distribution, drug loading and drug-release in order to provide robust methods applicable to nanoproducts will be provided. In vitro toxicity testing is also an integral part for the identification of the hazardous potential of nano medical products in the early phase of their development. In vitro methods can provide initial insights of the toxic potential of e.g. a drug candidate at low costs and in a short timeframe. However, a caveat for the application of existing and highly standardized in vitro test methods for nanomedicine assessment is the interference of test reagents with the nanomaterial which can lead to false predictions of the assay. Here we address the pitfalls of existing toxicity testing when applied to nanomaterials and suggest alternatives. Progress in method development is essential to foster necessary standards that will support a harmonised regulation of nanomaterial-containing products. JRC scientific knowledge, technical competences and advanced instrumentation in the characterization of nanomaterials will be soon accessible to academia, public and industrial laboratories based within EU Member States and H2020 associated countries through the JRC Open Nano-Lab activities.

Biography :

Sabrina Gioria is based in the Directorate F-Health, Consumers and Reference Materials, at the Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Italy. His research interest lies in investigating the in vitro toxicity of engineered nanomaterials (NMs) covering the development and optimization of test methods, the study of nanoparticles (NPs) uptake including the route of internalization, as well as investigating the mechanisms involved in NPs toxicity. She is part of the CORE expert team of the European Nanomedicine Characterization Laboratories (EU-NCL) and she is involved in the JRC-Open-Lab activities.

Email: sabrina.gioria@ec.europa.eu