SBIR Phase I: Biocompatible Magnetic Drug Delivery Systems that Allow for Greatly Diminished Doses

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to develop noble metal and polymer stabilized magnetic nanoparticles and biodegradable microspheres as nanovehicles for use in magnetically guided drug delivery. Site-specific release of therapeutic agents results in greatly reduced whole body dosages to minimize toxicity. Controlled, ultra thin coatings for magnetic nanoparticles would yield biocompatible systems with significantly improved magnetic susceptibility required for effective magnetic guidance through the arterial system. Analgesics and stable magnetic nanoparticles would be contained in and subsequently released from biodegradable polymeric microspheres. The commercial applications of these highly magnetic nano-vehicles would be as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) imaging contrast agents, magnetically guided drug delivery systems, and for cell separation techniques.