The main objective of this project is to design optimal and sustainable high-pressure techniques for the impregnation of polymers with pharmacoactive properties that make then suitable for their use in biomedicine (tissue engineering). The process to impregnate polymer matrices using supercritical carbon dioxide, with an extract obtained from an agricultural by- product, namely mango leaves, will be analysed. Furthermore, the effect that carbon dioxide has on the polymers will be evaluated in order to determine the suitability of the product to be used in scaffolds or stents. Therefore, the project is directly related to Challenge 1, Health, Demographic Change and Welfare. According to this challenge’s description, it particularly affects the priority work area VIII, which focuses on the development of NANOMEDICINE for the prediction, prevention, precision and participation, through the development of (ii) new therapeutic forms of drug release, and (iii) new biomaterials and regenerative medicine.

Since the challenge description mentions the importance of integrating different areas of knowledge to solve the proposed problem through interdisciplinary approaches, this project incorporates researchers from the areas of chemical engineering, molecular biology and cardiology with the aim of finding the best solution for the development of polymeric drug- releasing scaffolds and stents.

In addition, the proposed project incorporates the use of a natural extract obtained from an agricultural by-product, mango leaves, which has no practical application at present and that,

in the Southern part of the Iberian Peninsula, is causing a significant economic impact. The excellent properties of this plant make it suitable for its use in biomedical devices, which represents an alternative use for this by-productand minimizes agricultural waste. On the other hand, the whole project makes use of supercritical fluid techniques,which are sustainable and more environmentaly friendly than other conventional techniques. Therefore, this project is additionally developing Challenge 2, which is related to Bioeconomy, and especially with regard to the priorityinterest area V for the Development of the Bioeconomy in the Framework of a Circular Economy that promotes the reutilization of agricultural by-products for an increasingly sustainable and efficient economy.