by Novel Oral Drug Delivery Technologies
One of the major areas of focus in drug delivery has been developing new oral delivery systems that can help improve how medications are absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Conventional tablets and capsules work well for many drugs but have some limitations. Researchers have been working on novel technologies like multilayer drug delivery, nanoparticles, microparticles and other particulate systems that can more effectively protect drugs from degradation in the stomach and target release in the intestines where absorption occurs.
Some key benefits of these new oral delivery platforms include improving solubility of poorly water soluble drugs, protecting drugs that are degraded in the acidic stomach environment, controlled and sustained drug release over extended periods, ability to deliver both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs and targeting drugs to specific regions of the GI tract. This can help enhance bioavailability, reduce dosing frequency and potentially lower side effects.
Companies are developing a range of innovative new oral delivery systems using these approaches. For example, one platform uses a multiparticulate capsule technology that releases drugs as small intestinal transit beads. This provides site specific delivery and avoids sudden high drug levels associated with conventional dosage forms. Another system encapsulates drug reservoirs in an erosion-controlled capsule to enable sustained delivery for weeks. Such long-acting delivery systems can improve compliance for chronic conditions.
Advances in Drug Delivery Technologies
Drug Delivery Technologies is another major area seeing continuous innovation. Problems with conventional injections like short circulation time, non-targeted delivery and patient non-compliance have driven development of modified release injectables, implantable devices and targeted delivery technologies.
One area attracting significant research is long-acting injectables that can maintain therapeutic drug levels for 1-6 months with a single administration. This offers major benefits over traditional daily pills for conditions like schizophrenia. Technologies to achieve this include formulation approaches that slow drug diffusion from an oily vehicle and drug-polymer conjugates and microparticle systems that release drugs gradually as polymer breaks down.
Targeted delivery to tumors or other diseased sites is another goal. Various approaches tested include antibody-drug conjugates that selectively bind to tumors, lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles and novel implantable devices. For example, one therapy attaches a chemotherapy drug doxorubicin to an antibody that binds prostate-specific membrane antigen found on prostate cancer cells. This helps deliver high and sustained local drug levels with lower systemic exposure. Implantable controlled release systems are also being designed as alternatives to frequent injections.
Researchers are also developing alternative delivery routes. Peri-tumoral injections can release drugs directly into tumors from biodegradable wafers. Transdermal patches are being developed for some drugs to provide sustained release through skin for up to a week. Inhaled therapies using nanoparticles allow direct lung delivery for conditions like asthma and even systemic diseases via deep lung absorption.\
Advances in Carrier Systems
Significant progress has also been made in optimizing carrier systems like liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles and other colloidal systems that can efficiently encapsulate and deliver both small and large molecule drugs. Carrier systems offer many benefits over conventional delivery forms.
For example, PEGylated liposomes are already commercially available for cancer drugs like Doxil to improve pharmacokinetics and tolerability by encapsulating toxic drugs and preferentially accumulating them in tumors. Polymeric nanoparticles made of materials like poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) are also extensively researched for their ability to encapsulate a wide range of drugs and molecules, protect them from degradation and control release kinetics. They can be surface modified with targeting ligands too.
Novel materials like solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers are promising alternatives as they offer stability benefits over liposomes along with ability to incorporate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic agents. Inhalable liposome and nanoparticles formulations are enabling non-invasive lung delivery too. Other delivery systems in research include dendrimers, micelles, nano/micro emulsions, DNA origami structures and exosomes. Robust formulations and large-scale manufacturing remain active areas.
In Summary, continued innovation across various drug delivery platforms is helping address multiple challenges associated with conventional delivery. Tailored delivery technologies able to effectively transport drugs to disease sites, protect labile drugs, improve bioavailability and kinetics, reduce doses and enable non-invasive administration hold much promise to enhance patient outcomes and quality of life in the years ahead.
About Author - Money Singh
Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemical and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc. LinkedIn Profile
