Oral Applications
Typically, tablets or capsules are used to deliver greater than 90% of pharmaceuticals to patients. Factors that affect the efficacy of a drug include the solubility, bioavailability, biological half-life, dose and dosing regimen, and shelf-life, as well patient factors including diet and health condition. Technologies that can improve oral delivery of drugs by controlling the release and absorption in the GI tract are in great demand, and improved powder processing is one strategy that can overcome these obstacles. In vivo studies have shown that sustained-release and improved bioavailability of pressed powders for improved tablet processing of next generation pharmaceuticals.
Nanotherapeutics particle delivery systems are able to:
- Improve the oral bioavailability of insoluble and poorly absorbed drugs that require injection (antibiotics, antivirals, anti-inflammatories, and nutritionals).
- Enable oral delivery of macromolecules (peptide/protein).
- Provide pharmaceutical life-cycle management opportunities.
Inhaled / Nasal Applications
Novel dry powder formulations for inhaled or nasal delivery have been produced. They have exhibited improved therapeutic endpoints compared to conventional dry or liquid formulations for low molecular-weight compounds for local or systemic delivery; biologically active peptides; and vaccines against infectious pathogens. Formulation and delivery of novel nanoparticles offers advantages, including:
- higher shelf-life stability
- better control of particle size and deposition efficiency
- control of cell uptake and targeting
- controlled release-rates
- increased systemic bioavailability
Topical Applications
Nanoparticles in topical gels and creams are being developed as an alternative carrier system to emulsions and liposomes. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN), produced by exchanging a portion of the liquid oil part of an emulsion with a lipid solid at room temperature, have been shown to deliver molecules deeper into the skin than traditional mixtures. Formulation and delivery of novel nanoparticles and microparticles for topical delivery offers several advantages including:
- Increase in loading capacity.
- Potential for decreased skin irritation.
- Stabilization of sensitive actives.
- Controlled-release.
- Physical and chemical long-term stability.
Injectable Applications
Nanoparticle and microparticle suspensions offer an advanced approach to the delivery of insoluble drugs and formulations for sustained release. Advantages include:
- Low excipient loads
- Smaller dose volumes
- Better control of particle size and dispersion efficiency
- Controlled release-rates
- Capability for sterile filtering
- Increased efficacy and systemic bioavailability