Nanotechnologies in Drug Delivery - An Industrial Perspective

The design and manufacture of objects in the 10-1000 nm range, referred to as nanotechnologies, has opened access to new drug delivery tools embracing a variety of applications. While some of these applications are simply based on the high level of dispersion (i.e. high surface/volume ratio) of the nano-objects, others involve constructs bearing multiple functionalities (encapsulation, long circulation, targeting), taking advantage of the compatibility of the nanoparticles size with the design of the drug delivery at the cellular and sub-cellular levels. This article is an attempt to analyze the current knowledge and impact of nanotechnologies in drug delivery, from an industrial perspective. Various aspects such as the routes of administration, raw materials, expected biopharmaceutical perfomances are considered, together with the different levels of differentiation of nanotechnologies, as compared to standard formulations. The needed degree of refinement of the understanding of the physico-chemistry and the biopharmacy of the nano-objects, together with the existence of methodological gaps to manage their quality, are discussed considering the specific context of the drug delivery challenge (colloidal dispersion versus targeting). Even though nanotechnologies were primarily envisaged for life cycle management, to avoid the combination of the risks associated to a new drug delivery system to the risks associated to a new drug, the scope of nanotechnologies is currently broadening with their development as enabling drug delivery technologies for biomolecules, and their use in translational sciences. The added value of nanotechnologies is also discussed in these contexts.