A German study using renewable solvent "Cyrene", produced by biotechnology company Circa Group, found that high-purity nanoparticles can be produced – opening up opportunities to use Cyrene as a more sustainable and safer replacement for current solvents used in drug delivery systems and medical implants.
New research out of the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany used bio-based Cyrene to produce poly lactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles for drug delivery systems.
Cyrene itself and the nanoparticles were found to be biocompatible – meaning it is well suited to replace toxic harmful organic solvents more commonly used in their preparation. Using Cyrene produced high-quality nanoparticles and led to a significant decrease in preparation time when compared to industry-standard solvents.
In comparison to the standard techniques used for the formulation of drug-loaded polymer nanoparticles, interestingly with Cyrene, it is possible to effectively reduce process time and process steps, said Professor Dagmar Fischer, from the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, and the lead researcher on the project.
Founded in 2006, Circa Group converts waste biomass into advanced bio-based chemicals with its proprietary Furacell process at its prototype plant in Tasmania, Australia – a joint venture with Norske Skog.
Cyrene is an alternative to traditional dipolar aprotic solvents, which are used in large volumes – over one million tonnes per year – and are under intense regulatory pressure due to their toxicity
We are not surprised that Cyrene continues to show performance benefits in a range of medical and pharmaceutical applications. Extensive research shows it is a safer and more sustainable, high-performance alternative, remarked Tony Duncan, CEO of Circa Group.
