Metrology for innovative nanotherapeutics

Until 2050, the median age is estimated to increase by 4.5 years in Europe, resulting in increased strain on the healthcare system. Novel treatment methods could help to ensure European healthcare quality is not negatively affected by the aging population.

Nanotherapeutics possess unique chemical, physical and biological properties due to their small size, offering great therapeutic potential. They can cross biological barriers within the human body and selectively target specific areas. These characteristics could help drastically improve treatment options for a wide range of diseases, including neurodegenerative, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular diseases.
However, due to the novelty of this form of technology, there are no metrological guidelines for determining the quality and safety attributes of the therapeutics.

This project will focus on developing the metrological framework that is needed to determine standardised safety methods for nanotherapeutics.
As part of these aims, traceable methodologies for determining the properties of nanoparticles, including size, lipid composition and surface properties, will be developed. Additionally, representative testing materials for synthetic lipid-based and metal oxide nanoparticles will be designed that will provide a standard against which the properties of the nanoparticles can be measured.
The results will be published in an open access good practice guide that will help to communicate the newly developed standards and testing methods with other scientific institutions in Europe.

Overall, this project will establish the basis of a metrological network for the administration of nanotherapeutics, and it will be the foundation for further standardisation projects for nanotherapeutics in Europe.