Innovation Overview of Nanoparticle-Based Dermatological Products: A Patent Study

The health area in its most diverse fields has progressively incorporated nanotechnology into its products, such as in dermatology. In this sector, nanoparticles are one of the strategies that allow improvements, both in terms of value-added, as well as the efficacy, safety and stability of products for cosmetic or therapeutic purposes.

To understand the scenario of development and innovation of dermatological products with nanoparticles, through a patent prospection, evaluating the annual evolution, the main technology investors countries, the profile of the depositors, besides the uses and purposes of the products.

The Espacenet® database was used for consultation, using the search term "nanoparticle and skin". A total of 285 patents were found, of which 208 were available and 89 were based on the scope.

There was a progressive evolution in the number of patents after the year 2000, with South Korea, the United States, China and Japan as the main depositor countries. Private companies and Education and Research Institutions were the entities with the largest amount of deposits. The cosmetic purpose was the predominant use compared to the therapeutic one. The most prominent nanoparticles were polymeric, metallic and lipid, while the therapeutic area presented a larger number of the functionalized ones.

The market for dermatological products has been innovating and growing over the years through the use of nanoparticles, evidencing a prominent development of nanotechnology-based cosmetics. Countries investing in nanotechnology and major developers of innovative products are highlighted in this scenario.