Engineered Spider Silk Protein-Based Composites for Drug Delivery

Silk protein-based materials are promising materials for the delivery of drugs and other active ingredients, due to their processability, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. The preparation of films composed of an engineered spider silk protein (eADF4(C16)) in combination with either a polyester (polycaprolactone) or a polyurethane (pellethane), and their physical properties are described. The release profiles are affected by both the film composition and the presence of enzymes, and release can be observed over a period of several weeks. Such silk-based composites have potential as drug eluting biocompatible coatings or implantable devices.