Summary

Dr. Schwendeman’s long-term research goal is to design highly potent and safe synthetic high-density lipoprotein (HDL) nanomedicines for treatment of atherosclerosis. These 10 nm size particles mimic the natural HDL function of cholesterol removal from arterial plaques and subsequent cholesterol transport to the liver for elimination. Dr. Schwendeman spent 12 years in pharmaceutical industry at Cerenis Therapeutics (Fierce 15 biotech, www.cerenis.com), Pfizer, and Esperion Therapeutics. She was involved in discovery and translation of several HDL therapies to Phase II clinical trials. Her efforts led to development of a kilo-scale recombinant Apolipoprotein A-I process and highly homogeneous and safe HDL particles for the largest-to-date Phase II sHDL clinical trial (>500 patients). She successfully submitted FDA INDs for six different products including nanoparticles, liposome, proteins, peptides and small molecules.

Her current research interests focus on understanding the mechanisms of how phospholipid composition of HDL affects its potency, and designing short synthetic peptides that mimic various functions of Apolipoprotein A-I, the main protein component of HDL. Her laboratory has several ongoing translational collaborative projects focused on assessing sHDL utility for treatment of Alzheimer's disease, sepsis, acute lung injury, lupus and diabetic nephropathy.  Dr. Schwendeman also explores the utility of these “nature-made” nanoparticles for targeted delivery of chemotherapeutics to SR-BI (HDL-receptor)-expressing tumors as well as for delivery of peptide antigens. Finally, her laboratory is active in developing science-based regulations for testing of complex parenteral products such as nanoparticles, recombinant proteins and microspheres. Research is currently supported by grants from the American Heart Association and the US Food and Drug Administration.