Pharmaceutical science & technology today最新文献

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) denies many therapeutic agents access to brain tumours and other diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). Despite remarkable advances in our understanding of the mechanisms involved in the development of the brain diseases and the actions of neuroactive agents, drug delivery to the brain remains a challenge. For more than 20 years, extensive efforts have been made to enhance delivery of therapeutic molecules across vascular barriers of the CNS. The current challenge is to develop drug-delivery strategies that will allow the passage of drug molecules through the BBB in a safe and effective manner, and this review will provide an insight into some of the strategies developed to enhance drug delivery across the BBB.

In a pharmaceutical market characterized by increasing competition, assessment criteria related to system design are assuming greater importance. This is true for both conventional dosage forms and drug delivery systems (DDS), as manufacturers strive to achieve adequate patient convenience and compliance. At the same time, the process design for the manufacture of DDS must comply with current good manufacturing practices, and give sufficient consideration to associated environmental issues. Related problems must be solved under social and safety pressures, which, in turn, become economic pressures, such as the consideration of control methods. In addition, both the system design and the process design have a major impact on the cost of goods, as well as on the levels of complexity or risk associated with development.

Biopharmaceutical products represent a diverse group of products that includes proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, whole cells, viral particles and vaccines. The conformation of the macromolecule or cell must be maintained to retain biological activity, and animal models for biological activity and characterization assays are often developed in tandem with initial formulation studies. This presents the formulation scientist with a unique set of challenges when compared to those for small molecules. This review focuses on approaches to the formulation of macromolecules into biopharmaceutical products, and provides examples of studies that have been undertaken within the authors’ laboratories.

provides an insight into the latest developments in pharmaceutical science and technology through brief synopses of recent presentations, publications and patents, and expert commentaries on the latest technologies. There are two sections: Progress summarizes the latest developments in pharmaceutical process technology, formulation, analytical technology, sterilization, controlled drug delivery systems and regulatory issues; Profiles offers expert commentary on emerging technologies, novel processes and strategic, organizational and logistic issues underlying pharmaceutical R&D.

Despite disadvantages, oral drug delivery remains the preferred route of drug delivery. Novel technologies with improved performance, patient compliance, and enhanced quality have emerged in the recent past. Oral fast-dispersing dosage forms, three-dimensional Printing (3DP) and electrostatic coating are a few examples of a few existing technologies with the potential to accommodate various physico-chemical, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of drugs. This article provides a comprehensive review of these three technologies.