| At the turn of the millennium pharmaceutical companies face two major problems. The patent protection for many established drugs is coming to an end and new biotechnology-derived products, namely peptides and proteins or even nucleic acids, are either metabolised when administered intravenously or broken down by the digestive system when delivered orally. Drug delivery is the field of research which promises to solve these challenges.In particular, the motivation for patent extension and product differentiation is the driving force of the market. Many companies are turning to drug delivery systems either to extend the lifetime of a brand product, or to produce a generic version with competitive edge. This leads to improved safety and efficacy as well as increased patient compliance, allowing patients to treat themselves. Drug delivery can, in some instances, resolve toxicological problems of drug candidates due to lower dosing and more precise application. Overall drug delivery can provide a significant competitive advantage for the drug company. |
