Systematic development of favipiravir lung targeted bio-nanoparticles

A modified solvent evaporation process was used to produce polymeric nanoparticles containing favipiravir using the biodegradable polymer PLGA 50:50 and Poloxamer-407 as a hydrophilic surfactant. FTIR and DSC were used to examine the compatibility of drugs and polymers. Using a CCD model with two independent variables (PLGA and Poloxamer-407) and two dependent variables (percent encapsulation efficiency and particle size), QbD was able to identify and optimize the formulation-related parameters as well as those linked to the final product. The final optimized concentration of PLGA 50:50 was 190 mg, and Poloxamer-407 was 0.6%, confirmed by the validation of the design model. The generated favipiravir nanoparticles were characterized by DLS, zeta potential, aerodynamic size distribution, and in-vitro diffusion analysis. The optimized formulation's average particle size was roughly 270 nm, with excellent entrapment efficiency. Based on the zeta sizer, it was found that nanoparticles had a consistent spherical shape and good physical stability. In-vitro favipiravir release from an optimized formulation was sustained for up to 10 hrs. The biodegradable PLGA-based optimized nanoparticles loaded with favipiravir have become a promising COVID-19 therapeutic candidate.