Biologics are a rapidly growing area in therapeutics due to their higher selectivity, potency and reduced side effects. However, many biologics, which are usually composed of proteins, amino acids or other biologically based compounds, are not long-lived in the body.

To transform the delivery of biologics, Optimeos Life Sciences has developed an encapsulating technology that can enhance stability and control the release of these compounds. The technology packs biologics into small particles using a method called inverted flash nanoprecipitation, which involves rapidly mixing compounds and trapping them in a polymerstabilized delivery vehicle. The company grew from research funded in part by the National Science Foundation in the laboratory of Robert Prud’homme, professor of chemical and biological engineering.

The method can encapsulate biologics with over 90 percent efficiency, whereas competing technologies only approach 10 percent, said Optimeos co-founder and CEO Shahram Hejazi, who also teaches entrepreneurship at Princeton. “With this method, biologics can be released over weeks or months, and this could allow for a single injection over months rather than days or weeks,” he said. “Our technology is well suited to deliver the right amount of biologics for extended release over time, in a manner targeted to the right part of body. There is no other technology that can do that.”