University of Arizona researchers develop novel pediatric IBD drug delivery system

A research team at the University of Arizona in Tucson has developed a novel drug delivery system designed to treat ulcerative colitis in pediatric patients.

The system, dubbed the "molecular truck", offers an alternative to traditional methods of 5-aminosalicylic acid delivery to the colon. "This drug has the potential to be a major advancement in the treatment of infants and children with ulcerative colitis, who have difficulty taking available medications," said pediatric gastroenterologist Fayez Ghishan, MD.

Rather than in large pill form, the drug could be administered orally in the form of a suspension in highly concentrated doses targeted directly at the GI tract. The delivery system would also offer mitigation of side effects.

The molecular truck was developed by:

•    Dr. Ghishan, head of pediatrics and director of the UA Steele Children's Research Center, College of Medicine – Tucson
•    Eugene Mash Jr., PhD, professor of chemistry and biochemistry
•    Pawel Kiela, DVM, PhD, associate professor of pediatrics and Steele Center researcher

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