Crystals4Skin · Rational development of nanocrystalline drugs for skin administration

Alternative drug delivery is one of the most promising solutions for an increasing number of geriatric and cancer patients heavily challenged by the oral route treatment. Crystals4Skin project targets skin as a pathway for local/systemic therapeutics, bringing ground-breaking approach at the cutting edge of biotechnologies. So far, only particle-size nanomaterials have been explored and used for the skin application. Extreme potential of the crystal form and surface diversity has not been considered as the source of a product innovation for healthier society yet. Crystals4Skin aims to fill the gap in current state of knowledge by the innovative research of nanocrystals-skin interaction through the integration of structure-to-property-to-function principles bridging chemical matter and biology. With cocrystals selected as the models allowing the study of different composition, bulk and surface characteristics, the research will employ the highest knowledge from the fields of crystal structure analysis, simulations, synthesis, physical-chemical characterisation, permeation, and toxicity studies. Targeting Beating Cancer Plan, one of the EU´s flagship initiatives, together with the United Nation´s Good Health and Well-Being sustainable development goal, Crystals4Skin brings together experts in crystal engineering, pharmaceutical technology, and nanomaterials for biomedical applications to answer the burning question: Is it only the size that makes the nanocrystals an extremely promising material of the future or are there other structural attributes driving their performance within the skin? Crystals4Skin aims to find the answer and meet the current discussions between regulators, academics and industrial parties on the control and use of safe and efficient nanomedicines.