Senior Researcher Astellas Pharma Inc. Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
Introduction: Therapeutic options for ear diseases remain limited, and surgical intervention is often required. Systemic administration can lead to reduced efficacy and systemic side effects, highlighting the need for reliable local drug delivery with sustained therapeutic action at target site. However, achieving injectability, local retention and controlled drug release in the outer to middle ear is challenging (Fig 1). We developed temperature-responsive, thixotropic otic formulations that are liquid at room temperature for easy administration and rapidly gel after dosing to enhance local drug retention. Here, we report the utility and therapeutic potential of these novel otic drug delivery systems.
Learning Objectives:
Describe key formulation requirements for effective local drug delivery to the ear
Explain how temp-responsive and thixotropic properties enable injectability, retention and sustained release
Identify clinical and procedural advantages of the novel otic formulation technologies
