Project Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, autoimmune disorder that afflicts millions of individuals worldwide, causing debilitating joint pain, inflammation, and progressive disability. Conventional oral and injectable treatments for RA often struggle with poor patient compliance, systemic side effects, and limited efficacy in managing the condition's multifaceted symptoms. The development of a novel transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) for RA holds immense promise, as it can address these challenges and offer a more effective, patient-friendly approach to disease management. This project aims to design and develop a cutting-edge TDDS that can efficiently deliver a combination of therapeutic agents through the skin, directly targeting the affected joints and minimizing the risk of systemic adverse effects. The proposed TDDS will leverage advanced materials and formulation strategies to enhance drug permeation, prolong the duration of action, and provide sustained release of the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The key objectives of this project are threefold (1) to identify and optimize the optimal blend of API(s) for the effective management of RA, considering their synergistic therapeutic effects and improved pharmacokinetic profiles; (2) to develop a novel TDDS platform that incorporates innovative excipients, such as permeation enhancers, bioadhesive polymers, and smart drug delivery systems, to enhance transdermal penetration and controlled release of the APIs; and (3) to extensively evaluate the developed TDDS in in vitro and in vivo models to assess its therapeutic efficacy, safety, and long-term performance. The project will commence with a comprehensive review of the current literature on RA treatment modalities and existing TDDS technologies. This will guide the selection of the most promising API candidates and the design of the TDDS formulation. Advanced characterization techniques, such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction, will be employed to study the physicochemical properties of the API-excipient interactions and ensure the stability of the formulation. In vitro studies will be conducted to evaluate the drug release kinetics, skin permeation, and cytotoxicity of the TDDS. This will be followed by in vivo studies using appropriate animal models of RA, where the therapeutic efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and safety of the TDDS will be thoroughly investigated. The project will also explore the potential for personalization and optimization of the TDDS through the incorporation of patient-specific parameters, such as skin properties and disease severity. The successful completion of this project will result in the development of a novel, patient-centric TDDS for the treatment of RA, offering improved drug delivery, enhanced therapeutic outcomes, and better quality of life for patients. The findings of this research will contribute to the advancement of transdermal drug delivery technologies and provide a valuable framework for the design of next-generation, disease-modifying treatments for RA and other musculoskeletal disorders.

Project Overview