Ihalable Hyaluronate-dexametasone formulations for Covid-19 ventilated patients

The aim of this project is to design and prototype hyaluronic acid sodium salt (HA)-dexamethasone nanoparticles for a synergic treatment of patients on ventilators in intensive care units, as in serious cases of COVID-19. The final goal is the development of a new promising ha-dexamethasone liquid formulation to be delivered as an aerosol during artificial ventilation. Aim of the proposal is to characterize by SAXS the structure of nanoparticles as a function of composition, HA molecular weight and polymer/drug ratio. Moreover, we want to study the interaction of the different formulations with mucus models: stability or structural modifications of the nanoparticles, propensity to penetrate the mucus barrier, mucoadhesion. Results will give information on the structural evolution of the nanoparticles, helping in the selection of the most promising formulations.