Drug Delivery Systems (DDS)

Recent advances in medicine and biotechnology have resulted in the discovery of a vast array of new drug candidates. However, many of these potential treatments fail during pre-clinical evaluation due to challenges such as limited bioavailability, poor stability, and low solubility. To address these issues, drug delivery systems (DDS) have become a major focus of research and development. DDS are designed to improve the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of therapeutic agents, ensuring that drugs are delivered to the targeted site in the appropriate dose, at the desired time, and at a controlled rate. Novel DDS technologies, including nano- and micro-particles, transdermal patches, inhalers, drug reservoir implants, and antibody-drug conjugates, are being developed to meet complex therapeutic needs. These systems offer advantages such as controlled release, targeted delivery, solubility enhancement, on-demand activation, and the possibility of new administration routes, including transdermal, ocular, and nasal. The selection of the most suitable DDS depends on various factors, including the drug’s properties, the desired release rate, the intended site of action, and the preferred administration route, all of which are critical to the success of treatment.

Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery

Advancements in nanotechnology have significantly enhanced drug design, allowing for the creation of targeted, safe, and highly effective drug formulations. Nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as a promising tool in drug delivery, offering new possibilities for overcoming the limitations of traditional drug formulations. Nanodrug delivery systems have shown immense potential in improving the solubility of hydrophobic drugs, enhancing their biodistribution and pharmacokinetics, and ensuring that drugs accumulate preferentially at the target site, leading to improved therapeutic outcomes.

Nanodelivery systems can be tailored to meet specific needs by designing particles that either absorb or conjugate drugs onto their surface, encapsulate drugs within their core, or dissolve drugs within the particle matrix. These drug-loaded nanoparticles can also be engineered to target specific disease sites more effectively by introducing targeting moieties on the particle surface, ensuring that the drug is delivered precisely where it is needed. A variety of nanocarriers, including liposomes, polymer micelles, dendrimers, polymer-drug conjugates, inorganic nanoparticles, and carbon-based nanomaterials, have been used in the development of innovative drug delivery formulations. Among these, liposomes are one of the most widely researched and well-established nanocarriers, while polymer nanoparticles have gained attention as one of the most innovative approaches in drug delivery. Both natural and biocompatible synthetic polymers are used to create polymeric nanoparticles for drug delivery, offering a high degree of flexibility in the design of drug delivery systems. For more information, explore our NanoFabTx™ platform.