4^th European Biopharma Congress

Statement of the Problem: Steroids are acknowledged anti-inflammatory drugs used in multiple conditions, including autoimmune

disease. Steroids provide strong suppression of inflammation however, their long-term utilization triggers numerous adverse

effects including obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, edema retention etc. As a result, only inflammatory flares are treated with steroid

compounds, for short term.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Our collaborative research team has produced nanoparticles of specific size harboring

steroid compounds. In theory, due to their specific size, steroid-harboring nanoparticles trigger phagocytosis in monocytes and

macrophages, but leave other (non-phagocytic) cells unaltered.

Findings: Our human in vitro data indicate that steroid particles show potent anti-inflammatory effect on monocytes / macrophages,

equivalent to that of steroid solution. However, their adverse effects are reduced using non-phagocytic cells. Liver cells, for example,

show increased viability with steroid particles as opposed to steroid solution.

Conclusion & Significance: Our working hypothesis was that steroid-particles of a specific size range can preferentially target

monocytes/macrophages, the major mediators of inflammation. Other (non-phagocytic) cell types shall largely be unaltered by

steroid particles, as opposed to steroid solution. This is confirmed by our data. Our technology allows for the production of regular

steroid compounds with significantly reduced side effects, with the promise of long-term use in human.