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- Title
Poised to branch out.
- Authors
Marx, Vivien
- Abstract
This article discusses the development of VivaGel, a microbicidal drug that utilises DNA linked dendrimers, by the biopharmaceutical company Starpharma Holdings Ltd. Dendrimers are branched nanoscale polymers with applications throughout nanoscience. VivaGel, which is applied topically in order to prevent HIV and herpes simplex virus (HSV) transmission, is the first biomedical application of this molecular form. Concerns about the toxicity of dendrimers and research into their immunological effects are noted. The use of dendrimers to administer drugs used in chemotherapy and other treatments is discussed.
- Subjects
DENDRIMERS in medicine; NANOMEDICINE; BIOPHARMACEUTICAL research; ANTIBACTERIAL agents; HIV prevention; HERPES simplex prevention; STARPHARMA Holdings Ltd.; THERAPEUTICS
- Publication
Nature Biotechnology, 2008, Vol 26, Issue 7, p729
- ISSN
1087-0156
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1038/nbt0708-729