Chikujee is focused on developing therapeutic target specific multifunctional nanobindi to capitalize on the enormous opportunity to improve on currently marketed blockbuster drugs or enable the delivery of novel classes of therapeutics.  Our proprietary product engine is focused on improving the efficacy and expanding the applicability of existing blockbuster drugs.  We anticipate our first product entering the clinic in 2009.

Multivalent nanoparticles have tremendous potential in the diagnosis and treatment of human disease. Their multivalency allows simultaneous conjugation of targeting ligands to improve nanoparticle homing, polymers (e.g., polyethylene glycol (PEG)) to improve nanoparticle pharmacokinetics, as well as therapeutic drug cargo. Drug release from a nanoparticle surface has been accomplished by bonds that are sensitive to hydrolytic degradation or pH; however, complex release profiles that can be controlled from large distances (>10 cm) have not been achieved. Chikujee therapeutics has engineered a multifunctional nanoparticle that is: (1) multivalent, (2) remotelyactuated, and (3) imaged non-invasively by magnetic resonance imaging.  Superparamagnetic polymer marix act as transducers to capture external electromagnetic energy at 350–400 kHz, which is not significantly absorbed by tissue, to disrupt bonding between shell components  on demand.  The multifunctional nanoparticles can be used to demonstrate remote, pulsatile release of a single species and multistage release of two species in vitro, as well as noninvasive imaging and remote actuation upon implantation in vivo.