Targeting technologies--the expanding patent literature

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Drug targeting technologies are progressing rapidly.
• Recent literature reveals innovative and previously impossible drug delivery methods.
• The field is characterized by breadth and ingenuity in its approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in drug targeting technologies.
• To categorize and highlight novel approaches in drug delivery.
• To examine patent applications in specific drug targeting areas.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of drug delivery technology patents from the past three years.
• Categorization of findings into mucosal targeting, organ/tissue targeting, tumor targeting, and focal delivery.
• Selection of novel and intriguing patent claims for detailed discussion.

Main Results:

• Significant progress has been made in drug targeting technologies.
• Innovative methods are emerging across mucosal, organ, tissue, tumor, and focal delivery.
• Novel patent applications showcase the ingenuity in the field.

Conclusions:

• The field of drug targeting is advancing at an unprecedented rate.
• Many previously unattainable drug delivery strategies are now feasible.
• The reviewed patent applications offer insights into future directions in drug delivery.