Targeted Drug Delivery

Targeted Drug Delivery (표적 가능한 약물 전달 연구)

Biological barriers such as the cell membrane, blood-brain barrier, and mucosal layers pose significant challenges to the intracellular delivery of biomolecules and small-molecule drugs. It has been reported that over 90% of clinical drug candidates fail during development due to poor cellular uptake and insufficient tissue penetration.

Our research focuses on the design and development of novel drug delivery vectors that can not only transport drugs into cells but also target them to specific cell types or subcellular organelles. To this end, we have synthesized molecular transporters bearing multiple guanidine groups, which enable efficient cellular internalization, as well as heterobifunctional linkers that facilitate effective conjugation between drug carriers and therapeutic payloads.

In addition, we are developing peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs) to selectively deliver anticancer drugs to tumor cells while minimizing uptake by normal tissues. This targeted approach has the potential to reduce the required drug dosage and minimize side effects, ultimately improving therapeutic outcomes for cancer patients.

Key publications

• J. Drug Deliv. Sci. Technol. 2024, 101, 106261. doi: 10.1016/j.jddst.2024.106261 

• Eur. J. Med. Chem. 2024, 265, 116050. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116050 

• Drug Deliv. 2022, 29, 270-283. doi: 10.1080/10717544.2021.2023696 

• Int. J. Pharm. 2021, 606, 120904. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120904