Development of liposomal inhaled antibiotic formulations to target pulmonary infection

Inhaled liposomal antibiotic formulations offer a targeted alternative, enhancing drug concentration in the airways, minimizing systemic toxicity, and providing sustained drug release. <br><br>This thesis explores the development of inhalable liposomal formulations for two antibiotics, vancomycin and rifampicin.

Vancomycin was encapsulated into liposomes using thin film hydration (TFH) and organic solvent-free (OSF) methods, achieving encapsulation efficiencies (EE) >50%. The dried vancomycin formulations demonstrated controlled in vitro release, stability at 20°C for 24 weeks, and comparable antimicrobial efficacy to free vancomycin against Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA, with enhanced activity against certain clinical isolates.<br><br>For rifampicin, TFH-loaded liposomes were spray-dried into powders with trehalose-based formulations yielding spherical particles suitable for inhalation, though requiring optimization.