Development of polymeric nanosuspension for the encapsulation and delivery of antiretroviral agents

Abstract

HIV remains a global health crisis, particularly affecting the paediatric population. While effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) is available, poor adherence, especially among children, limits treatment success. This is primarily due to the lack of age-appropriate drug delivery systems, as most innovations like fixed-dose combinations and long-acting injectables are developed for adults. Consequently, very young children (typically ≤ 1 year) are underserved. This research addressed this gap by developing a novel, flexible, orally administered nanosuspension containing two key antiretroviral drugs: abacavir and lamivudine. Designed primarily for newborns to one-year-olds, the formulation is also suitable for older children and adults with swallowing difficulties. The drugs were nanoencapsulated in a biocompatible, biodegradable co-polymeric matrix, then dispersed in a methylcellulose/gelatin/xylitol-based fluid gel carrier. The resulting reconstitutable nanosuspension demonstrated good stability, controlled drug release with zero-order kinetics, and no cellular toxicity making it a promising paediatric friendly option for HIV treatment.