Khalili, Hanieh, Zolgharni, Massoud ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0904-2904, Bogdan, Camelia Lucia and Farokh Boroojerdi, Arian (2026) 3D-Printed alginate implants for sustained-release of Faricimab; fabrication and characterisation. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology. ISSN 2588-8943 (In Press)

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Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remains a leading cause of irreversible vision loss, with neovascular forms requiring frequent intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections. While Faricimab, a bispecific antibody targeting VEGF-A and Angiopoietin-2, enables extended dosing intervals compared with earlier agents, frequent administration is still necessary due to rapid ocular clearance and limited bioavailability of biologics. Sustained-release ocular implants have demonstrated clinical utility for small-molecule drugs; however, limited established platforms exist for the controlled delivery of antibody therapeutics in AMD management. This study presents development and in-vitro evaluation of 3D-printed alginate-based micro-implants designed for prolonged release of Faricimab. Alginate was selected as the primary biomaterial for its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and mild ionic crosslinking supporting protein stability. To enhance mechanical integrity and modulate release kinetics, composite formulations including in-situ polymerized collagen and hyaluronic acid methacrylate were incorporated. 3D bioprinting enabled the production of micro size implants with dimensions of approximately 0.5–0.8 mm in diameter, a range that is within clinically approved ocular implants, release kinetics, structural stability, and degradation profiles were assessed using an ocular rig model replicating physiological aqueous humour turnover. The printed implants exhibited structural stability and enabled sustained release of Faricimab for more than 80 days. Importantly, the alginate matrix provided an enhanced protective microenvironment that preserved the structural integrity of the antibody. Stability studies showed that while Faricimab in solution rapidly aggregated and degraded within 24 h at 37 °C, it maintained its stability in fabricated alginate scaffold. While it is necessary to conduct the long-term stability study, these findings highlight the dual role of the 3D-printed alginate implant as both a drug delivery platform and a protein-stabilising matrix. This work therefore establishes a novel strategy for fabricating injectable micro-scale ocular implants capable of delivering biologic therapeutics, offering a promising approach to reduce injection frequency and improve long-term treatment outcomes in patients with age-related macular degeneration.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	Medicine and health
Date Deposited:	09 Sep 2026
Dates:	Date Publication status 3 September 2026 Accepted
School, department or research centre:	THRIVE (The Centre for Translational Healthcare Research, Innovation, Vision, and Excellence)
URI:	https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/15293

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