Nano-Magnetically Targeted Drug Delivery System for Treating Atrial Fibrillation

摘要

NanoMed Targeting Systems (NTS) is developing magnetically targeted drug delivery system for treating atrial fibrillation. The system is based on proprietary nanomagnetic-particles attached to the payload, and its noninvasive proprietary magnetic guiding system. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disorder and a leading cause of strokes. An estimated 2.7-6.1 million people in the United States have AF. With the aging of the U.S. population, this number is expected to increase. Currently, nearly half the patients will become drug refractory and most will require interventions such as catheter ablations - the current standard of care. Ablations carry risks of serious complications and are very costly (5year success <50%). The rapidly rising demand for ablations is already straining the ability to meet treatment demand, and a noninvasive approach that produces satisfactory success rates is lacking. A safer, faster, more effective, and less costly procedure is needed. NTS's innovative procedure is targeting the GPs neural centers on the heart with magnetically targeted nanoparticles containing a substance to shut off their activities. The nanoparticle solution is introduced into the coronary circulation, whereupon the particles are immediately captured by a magnetic field over and guided to the treatment area. We are developing a Magnetic Workstation, a continuously variable electromagnet that is external to the patient, with three-dimensional positioning with respect to the heart, to capture the particles and target them. Our procedure will be less invasive, less expensive, and less risky. The technology for cardiac arrhythmia applications has been demonstrated in preclinical dogs' trials.