Stabilization of Cytokines: A Pharmaceutical Challenge
- Cytokines, including Interleukin-2 (IL-2), are delicate proteins that can degrade rapidly when exposed to heat, light, or physical stress. Their short half-life and sensitivity to environmental conditions make storage and administration difficult.
IL-2, for example, plays a pivotal role in T-cell proliferation and immune modulation. It is used in immunotherapy protocols for certain cancers such as melanoma and renal cell carcinoma. However, its effectiveness is limited without stabilized formulations capable of maintaining bioactivity until administration.
Institutions like the National Cancer Institute (USA) and the Institut Pasteur (France) have emphasized the need for new strategies to improve IL-2’s stability for clinical use.
AKTIV-DRY: A Solution for Dry Powder Formulation
AKTIV-DRY, LLC is a biotechnology company offering innovative dry powder stabilization techniques. Originating from the University of Colorado, the company specializes in micronizing and gently drying sensitive biologics such as:
- Vaccines
- Antibodies
- Enzymes
- Cytokines
Their proprietary technologies allow precise control over particle size, morphology, and formulation environment, ensuring proteins retain their activity and stability. This approach makes AKTIV-DRY an ideal partner for biotech companies seeking to improve the shelf life and transportability of their biological therapies.
IL-2 and Dry Powder Immunotherapy
Among cytokines, Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is one of the most promising candidates for cancer immunotherapy. It activates natural killer cells and promotes T-cell growth, enhancing the body’s ability to fight tumors. However, traditional liquid formulations of IL-2 are highly unstable and require cold-chain storage.
Using AKTIV-DRY’s spray-drying technology, IL-2 can be converted into a stable dry powder form, suitable for injection or pulmonary delivery. Research conducted at institutions such as the University of Cambridge and the Karolinska Institutet supports the development of inhalable IL-2 formulations to treat lung metastases more effectively and with fewer side effects.
Natural Skincare Products
Research institutions like the University of Cambridge have explored pulmonary delivery of IL-2 to target metastatic tumors in the lungs. Using AKTIV-DRY’s dry powder formulation, IL-2 can be inhaled directly into the lungs, enhancing local immune activation while reducing systemic toxicity often seen with injectable formulations
Dry Powder Cytokine Delivery in Autoimmune Diseases
Institutes like the Karolinska Institutet have studied cytokine therapies for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis. With AKTIV-DRY’s method, sensitive cytokines like TNF-α inhibitors or IL-10 analogues can be stabilized in dry powder form for controlled-release injectables, improving patient adherence and reducing dosing frequency.
Thermostable Vaccine Formulations in Remote Areas
Many Organizations face challenges delivering vaccines to remote areas with limited refrigeration. AKTIV-DRY’s stabilization technology enables the creation of thermostable vaccines, which can be stored and transported without the need for cold-chain logistics—crucial for pandemic response and global immunization efforts.
Concrete examples of how AKTIV-DRY’s dry powder stabilization technology could be used in real-world applications
