Advanced molecular imaging for the characterisation of complex medicines

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology and Drug Delivery
• Biomedical Imaging
• Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background:

• Complex medicines with innovative delivery systems are increasing.
• Understanding drug biodistribution, cell penetration, and efficacy is vital for development.
• Current methods require advanced techniques for in-depth analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the importance of advanced imaging in complex medicine development.
• To explain how imaging aids in understanding drug delivery pathways.
• To demonstrate the role of imaging in clinical phase selection.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing advanced imaging technologies with diverse labeling techniques.
• Assessing both the drug carrier and its cargo.
• Employing multiple imaging methods across cellular, tissue, and whole-body levels.

Main Results:

• In-depth analysis of drug delivery pathways is enabled by advanced imaging.
• Mechanistic understanding of carrier and cargo behavior is achieved.
• Imaging provides critical decision-making data for clinical development.

Conclusions:

• Advanced imaging is essential for the successful development of complex medicines.
• These technologies offer a comprehensive understanding of drug delivery.
• Imaging facilitates informed decisions for clinical progression and medicine optimization.