Research Overview

In recent years, the pharmaceutical field has seen diversification of therapeutic modalities, such as antibodies, RNA medicines (typified by novel coronavirus vaccines), and gene therapy. Innovative drugs often have stability and absorption, issues that have led to increased interest in developing formulation technologies that can maximize the therapeutic effects of these drugs. Given this background, polymeric nanofibers (nanofibers) prepared by field spinning (electrospinning) are expected to become a platform for pharmaceutical formulation development. Polymeric nanofibers can be applied to various dosage forms, such as oral (e.g., tablets and film formulations), topical (transdermal patch, sublingual patch, and other formulations for mucosal tissues), and inhalation products.
The electrospinning method can directly formulate liquid raw materials into solids under mild conditions without the use of heat. In this laboratory, we are actively developing applications not only for pharmaceuticals, but also for functional foods and cosmetics, in which unstable compounds are often used.
With the support of Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, we launched an endowed Laboratory for Nanofiber Technology in April 2022. Medical nanofibers will be developed as a new dosage form in collaboration with the Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Engineering (Tahara research group) at Gifu Pharmaceutical University. We are also actively engaging in joint research with research institutes, industries, and hospitals to translate research data on the use of medical nanofibers into practical applications.