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Pharmaceutical Cocrystals in Drug-Delivery Technologies: Advances from Rational Design to Therapeutic Applications
Marina Monserrat Marcos Valdez1, Norma Rebeca Sperandeo1, Maria Soledad Bueno1
1Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnología Farmacéutica (UNITEFA) CONICET-UNC, Córdoba X5000HUA, Argentina.
Pharmaceutics
|January 28, 2026
Summary
Pharmaceutical cocrystals enhance drug delivery without changing active ingredients. Recent innovations integrate these cocrystals into advanced platforms like 3D printing and microneedles for improved therapeutics.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Science
- Materials Science
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Pharmaceutical cocrystals are solid-state forms that modify active pharmaceutical ingredients' properties (solubility, stability, bioavailability) without altering their chemical structure.
- While traditional oral formulations are established, emerging research focuses on integrating cocrystals into novel drug delivery technologies.
- Recent advancements highlight the potential of cocrystals beyond conventional oral delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review recent advancements in pharmaceutical cocrystal-based platforms.
- To critically evaluate the therapeutic relevance of both conventional and innovative cocrystal formulations.
- To identify strengths, limitations, and future directions for cocrystal applications in drug delivery.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted, focusing on publications from the last decade (2015-2025).
- Emphasis was placed on peer-reviewed articles, patents, and regulatory documents.
- Evidence was organized by formulation type: traditional oral, inhalable, intranasal, transdermal, and emerging platforms (3D printing, nano-cocrystals, microneedles).
Main Results:
- Pharmaceutical cocrystals are transitioning from lab innovations to clinical applications through advanced formulation science.
- Emerging platforms like 3D printing, nano-cocrystals, and microneedles show significant promise for cocrystal delivery.
- Case studies and preclinical/clinical data demonstrate the therapeutic potential across various delivery routes.
Conclusions:
- Advancements in formulation science enable pharmaceutical cocrystals to be integrated into next-generation therapeutics.
- Despite challenges in scalability, stability, and regulatory pathways, cocrystals in emerging platforms represent transformative tools.
- The integration of cocrystals into novel delivery systems is key to unlocking their full therapeutic potential.
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