Light-responsive nanoparticle depot to control release of a small molecule angiogenesis inhibitor in the posterior segment of the eye

Abstract Therapies for macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy require intravitreal injections every 4–8 weeks. Injections are uncomfortable, time-consuming, and carry risks of infection and retinal damage. However, drug delivery via noninvasive methods to the posterior segment of the eye has been a major challenge due to the eye's unique anatomy and physiology. Here we present a novel nanoparticle depot platform for on-demand drug delivery using a far ultraviolet (UV) light-degradable polymer, which allows noninvasively triggered drug release using brief, low-power light exposure. Nanoparticles stably retain encapsulated molecules in the vitreous, and can release cargo in response to UV exposure up to 30 weeks post-injection. Light-triggered release of nintedanib (BIBF 1120), a small molecule angiogenesis inhibitor, 10 weeks post-injection suppresses choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in rats. Light-sensitive nanoparticles are biocompatible and cause no adverse effects on the eye as assessed by electroretinograms (ERG), corneal and retinal tomography, and histology.