ISU Researcher Douglas Jones Awarded Contract from Merck for Altrenogest Delivery Technology in Swine

September 1, 2022 – Ames, IA – Dr. Douglas Jones, Professor in Veterinary Pathology in the College of Veterinary Medicine was recently awarded a contract from Merck to study the efficacy of a biodegradable polyanhydride-based implant for Altrenogest delivery in swine.

Altrenogest assists in developing a consistent estrus synchronization for reproduction and is currently delivered with a daily application of an oral dose. Biodegradable polyanhydride-based implants slowly degrade and can be used to deliver drugs to a biological system. The implants can be tuned for a 15–20-day release in swine by adjusting polyanhydride chemistry. Successful application of the technology will enable a producer to coordinate gilts within a breeding program with the administration of a single implant.

“The application of polyanhydride-based implants has the potential to simplify and improve breeding programs for producers.” says Dr. Douglas Jones.

The project will include a characterization of polyanhydride implant degradation both in vitro and in vivo and subsequent timing and bioavailability of Altrenogest release from the polyanhydride implants in pigs.

The Nanovaccine Institute is a consortium of 82 researchers at 24 universities, research institutes, national laboratories, and companies aimed to develop nanovaccines and nanotherapeutics to revolutionize how diseases are prevented and treated on a global scale. The consortium represents a transdisciplinary merger of expertise in immunology, nanotechnology, materials science, microbiology, neuroscience, cancer biology, gerontology, clinical science, and social science. Learn more at nanovaccine.iastate.edu.

Information Contact:

Hanna Bates, Research Administrator, Nanovaccine Institute. Email: hbates@iastate.edu. Phone: 515-294-2194