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Creativity Hubs Award Funds New Implantable Device Promising Advances in Chronic Disease Management

ALTER is a small implantable device that acts as a “living pharmacy” inside a patient’s body.

By Dave DeFusco

A new implantable device, called Autonomous Living Therapies for Extended Results (ALTER), could change the way chronic diseases are managed by offering a promising solution to one of the biggest challenges in healthcare: poor medication adherence.

The project, led by Dr. Ronit Freeman, an associate professor of applied physical sciences, is supported by the North Carolina Collaboratory in partnership with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research’s (OVCR) Creativity Hubs program. Dr. Freeman will leverage her cross-disciplinary expertise in chemistry, computer science and bioinspired material design, and be joined by a team of experts that includes engineers, physicians and specialists in synthetic biology, applied mathematics, bioelectronics and other fields spanning 15 different research labs across UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke University and NC State.

ALTER is a small implantable device that acts as a “living pharmacy” inside the patient’s body. “Instead of requiring patients to visit the hospital regularly for treatments, ALTER can be implanted via a minimally invasive procedure to continuously monitor their disease and produce the drug on demand, delivering the appropriate dose exactly when and where it’s needed,” said Dr. Freeman.

For many patients with chronic conditions like arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and diabetes, sticking to complex and frequent treatment schedules can often involve regular injections or transfusions, which can be daunting. Poor medication adherence can lead to serious health consequences, including increased risk of complications and even death. In the United States alone, medication noncompliance is linked to over 125,000 deaths each year and costs the healthcare system over $300 billion.

The ALTER implant uses encapsulated cells programmed to manufacture therapeutic antibodies and requires advanced materials that can keep the cells alive by providing them with enough oxygen and nutrients. These materials must also protect the cells from the body’s immune system to prevent them from being attacked or rejected.

“This implant could provide a ‘set-and-forget’ solution for chronic disease management, making treatment easier, safer and more affordable,” she said.

The implant, which must be able to monitor and control antibody production effectively, includes using bioelectronics to track cell health and medication levels and to ensure reliable wireless communication between the implant and external systems. The wireless capabilities will allow doctors to remotely monitor the device’s performance and to adjust the treatment plan as needed, making it easier for patients to manage their chronic conditions without constant medical supervision.

Dr. Freeman said that for the residents of North Carolina, where chronic diseases and injuries are responsible for approximately two-thirds of all deaths, with about 50,000 deaths each year, ALTER could slash deaths by half, cut their hospital visits, reduce healthcare costs and revolutionize their quality of life.

She hopes this project will catalyze the creation of a UNC-led Center for Health Innovation Technologies (UNC-HIT) that would unlock innovative potential across North Carolina. UNC-HIT would bring together public universities, hospitals, industries and policy makers to offer solutions to critical health needs and improve the well-being of North Carolinians across the state and beyond.

“The innovative ecosystem in North Carolina is the perfect incubator for such a high-risk, high reward venture and can help accelerate its transition from academia to industry,” said Freeman.

October 14, 2024