(Amherst, NH) – Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies view drug delivery as a way of gaining a competitive advantage. Alternative drug delivery technologies, while avoiding first-pass metabolism, are often sought by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to extend the period of market exclusivity for a branded drug and thus postpone competition from generic drugs. Historically, drug delivery systems were developed primarily for traditional routes of administration such as oral and intravenous. During the past decade research has increased into new and often-novel methods of delivery by alternative routes, such as transdermal, nasal, ocular, and pulmonary administration. As a result, drug delivery applications have expanded from traditional drugs to therapeutic peptides, vaccines, hormones, and viral vectors for gene therapy.
An example of this trend is interest in intranasal drug delivery, which has increased dramatically in the last five years, driven by the need to develop new alternatives to oral delivery for protein and peptide-based drugs, and the belief that intranasal drug delivery may lead to greater drug efficacy, speed of action, safety, and patient compliance. Drug developers and researchers are discovering that the accessibility and vascular structure of the nose make it an attractive route for delivering both small molecule drugs and biologics, systemically as well as across the blood-brain barrier to the CNS. Nasal delivery offers the potential for faster onset of action and less frequent dosing relative to oral drugs.
While currently approved inhaled CNS drugs are administered intranasally, several pipeline drugs are being developed for pulmonary (deep lung) systemic administration, either by dry powder inhalers (DPI) or pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDI). Development and formulation of drugs for pulmonary delivery present unique challenges in contrast to drugs delivered via the nasal passages. Because of the narrow technology expertise needed to effectively characterize device performance, drug and device companies are increasingly outsourcing this function. A small number of specialized CSOs now focus on inhalation device performance characterization.
These findings are examined in a new and comprehensive survey written and researched by Greystone Associates. The report includes detailed analysis of approved and development-stage products, market sector participants and technology and formulation factors.
More information is available at http://www.greystoneassociates.org/Inhaled_CNS_Therapeutics.htm .
About Greystone
Greystone Associates is a medical and healthcare technology consulting firm providing services in strategic planning, venture development, product commercialization, and technology and market assessment.
Contact:
Mark Smith
Voice: 603-595-4340
Fax: 603-804-0466
www.greystoneassociates.org
Source: Greystone Associates
