The Case School of Medicine BRTT Center, Targeted Nanoparticles for Imaging and Therapeutics, established with support from the Ohio 3^rd Frontier Program, is dedicated to the development and commercialization of therapeutic and imaging nanoparticles to improve the health of Ohioans.”

Nanoparticles consist of a payload, a biocompatibility component, and sometimes targeting ligands. Payloads fall into three categories:

1. nucleic acids, such as DNA for gene therapy of genetic diseases, or siRNAs to silence genes that contribute to pathology in man, such as cancer or viral infections;
2. small molecules that may be too toxic, insoluble, or fragile to be administered alone, such as drugs intended to kill tumor cells or control blood clotting within vessels; and
3. molecules for imaging, such as nanocrystals that emit light of articular wavelength, or molecules that signal in magnetic resonance spectrometers. Targeting moieties deliver nanoparticles directly to their intended site of action.

The program subsumes scientific projects already funded elsewhere, novel scientific projects, and cores to facilitate the rapid development of nanoparticles from idea to product. Cores range from Molecular and Analytical Cores to Animal, Imaging, and GLP Cores: most are already equipped and operational.

In parallel to the scientific program, and strongly interactive with it, is a commercialization program for protection of intellectual property, obtaining initial support to validate the intended use of the nanoparticles, and catalyzing funding to launch or expand commercialization of nanoparticles and bring them to market.

This program capitalizes on strong well funded science of nanoparticles already present at Case, as well as that at local companies, and on the commercial expertise in the Case tech transfer office, local companies, and venture funds. We include professors experienced in commercialization, brilliant assistant professors with marvelous new ideas, companies freshly minted, and others that are established in manufacture. Some nanoparticles have passed Phase I clinical trial; others are in development. This range of talents and products bode well for rapid, synergistic scientific development and advance of products to market.