Drug distribution and structure of lipidic nanocapsules intended for drug delivery to the retina.

Several retinal disorders are lacking a valid treatment due to its complexity and non-accessibility. A novel class of drugs were developed that are effective against photoreceptor cell death and could therefore become a potential treatment for inherited retinal degeneration. Lipidic nanocapules (LNCs) are being evaluated for delivery of drug to the retinal tissue, but no detailed structural characterization of LNCs has been done. This project aims to give clear insight in elucidating the overall and internal structure of LNCs and the drug spreading in various layers of LNCs by means of small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). This information is significantly critical in order to understand the structure of LNCs, drug interaction with LNCs, and to better comprehend and modify the drug release mechanism and delivery. This will greatly improve the prospects for their clinical translation.