Engineering approaches for drug delivery systems production and characterization

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Biotechnology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Drug development is lengthy and costly, with significant challenges in delivering therapeutic molecules effectively.
• Gene therapy, for example, faces limitations due to the lack of suitable vector systems for in vivo delivery.
• Novel drug delivery systems (DDSs) are a major focus in pharmaceutical sciences to overcome these delivery hurdles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in the development and testing of novel drug delivery systems (DDSs).
• To highlight European research contributions in the field of DDSs.
• To provide a comprehensive overview of DDSs categorized by scale and discuss innovative testing methodologies.

Main Methods:

• Categorization of DDSs based on scale: nano-scale (liposomes, nanoparticles), micro-scale (microparticles), and macroscopic systems (granules, matrix systems).
• Presentation of non-conventional testing methods, including mechanical and bio-relevant dissolution techniques.
• Discussion on the application of mathematical modeling for understanding drug release kinetics.

Main Results:

• Recent European research has yielded significant progress in developing diverse DDSs across various scales.
• Novel mechanical and bio-relevant dissolution methods offer more accurate assessments of DDS performance.
• Mathematical modeling provides valuable insights into drug release mechanisms and system behavior.

Conclusions:

• Advancements in DDSs are critical for improving therapeutic efficacy and overcoming drug delivery challenges.
• Innovative testing and modeling approaches enhance the evaluation and optimization of DDS performance.
• Continued research, particularly from European collaborations, is vital for the future of drug delivery technology.