Nanotechnologies in Protein Delivery

Abstract

The growth rate for biotech drugs, namely proteins, peptides, and oligonucleotides, is dictated by the parallel progresses in biotechnology and nanotechnology. Actually, biotechnology techniques have expanded enormously the arsenal of therapeutically useful peptides and proteins making these products of primary interest for future pharmaceutical market. Nevertheless, the exploitation of protein and peptide drugs is strictly related to the development of innovative delivery systems which should provide for controlled, prolonged, or targeted delivery, improved stability during storage and delivery, reduced adverse effects, increased bioavailability, improved patient compliance and allow for administration through the desired route and cope with cost-containment therapeutic protocols. Colloidal formulations ideally possess the physicochemical and biopharmaceutical requisites for protein delivery. Pharmaceutical nanotechnology is a tool of techniques applied to design, develop and produce these systems. It involves the investigation of innovative materials and production procedures for preparation of a variety of nanosized dosage forms, which range from solid nanoparticles to soluble bioconjugates. The research and development of innovative tailor made protein delivery systems, which must be designed according to the drug candidate pharmacological and physicochemical properties, is one of the primary aim of modern pharmaceutical technology. Therefore, as an unmet need exists for technologies that combine innovative drug delivery solutions, a close un-prejudicial interaction between academic and industrial researchers as well as business thought leaders is required.