Engineering the right formulation for enhanced drug delivery

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Drug Delivery
• Materials Science

Background:

• Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are versatile for delivering various drugs, including small molecules and biologics.
• Traditional DPI formulations often use lactose carrier particles, which can limit physical stability, aerosolization, and bioavailability.
• Meeting the demands for advanced inhaled therapies requires overcoming limitations of conventional DPI formulations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review challenges in formulating low-dose and high-dose small molecule drugs and biologics for DPIs.
• To discuss innovative particle engineering strategies for enhanced drug delivery via inhalation.
• To explore emerging techniques for optimizing inhalable powder formulations.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of DPI formulation challenges and particle engineering techniques.
• Analysis of strategies for small molecules, peptides, proteins, and cells.
• Discussion of methods for improving powder flowability, dose uniformity, and aerosol performance.

Main Results:

• Conventional lactose-based DPIs face limitations in physical stability, aerosolization, and bioavailability.
• Particle engineering offers solutions for enhancing drug delivery for diverse active pharmaceutical ingredients.
• Various techniques are employed based on drug properties (e.g., small molecules, biologics) and required dosage.

Conclusions:

• Particle engineering is essential for advancing DPI technology beyond traditional lactose blends.
• Innovative strategies are needed to address the complex formulation requirements of modern inhaled therapeutics.
• Optimized particle engineering can significantly improve the efficacy and delivery of drugs administered via DPIs.