An Anti-angiogenic Reverse Thermal Gel as a Drug-Delivery System for Age-Related Wet Macular Degeneration

Reverse thermal gels have numerous biomedical implications, as they undergo physical gelation upon temperature increases and can incorporate biomolecules to promote tissue repair. Such a material is developed for the sustained release of bevacizumab (Avastin), a drug used to treat age‐related macular degeneration. The polymer, poly(ethylene glycol)‐poly(serinol hexamethylene urethane) (ESHU), forms a physical gel when heated to 37 °C and shows good cytocompatibility with ocular cells. ESHU is capable of sustaining bevacizumab release over 17 weeks in vitro, and the release kinetics can be altered by changing the drug dose and the ESHU concentration. These results suggest that ESHU is biologically safe, and suitable for ocular drug delivery. An injectable and biodegradable reverse thermal gel, ESHU, is capable of sustaining the release of bevacizumab over 17 weeks in vitro. ESHU is not toxic to ocular cell types, demonstrating its potential as an intravitreal drug‐delivery system.