Abstract
This major strategic analysis provides a detailed insight into the current and
future market for targeted drug delivery technology.
Providing...
Critical analyses and competitive ratings for major specialist developers
Unique sales forecasts to 2015 for key current and new products utilising
targeted drug delivery technologies A comprehensive examination of this major
drug delivery sector
Whilst many approved and developmental drugs are well-tolerated, numerous
drugs need advanced delivery technologies to improve pharmacokinetics,
decrease toxicity, increase tolerability and ultimately enhance the
therapeutic index. Peripheral toxicity related to the systemic administration
of compounds can be dose limiting. However, the application of drug carrier
platforms (dendrimers, liposomes, polymers, micelles) can significantly
improve bio-distribution, whilst the addition of a targeted ligand
(antibodies, peptides, proteins, vitamins) can enhance the selective uptake of
drugs to target tissues or cells, thereby minimizing non-specific binding to
non-target tissue.
It is estimated that the advanced drug delivery market was worth around US$6.5
billion in 2006 with around 50% derived from targeted carrier systems and the
remainder derived from implants and intrauterine devices. Advances in polymer
technologies have enabled delivery specialists to design carriers for targeted
delivery either through direct drug conjugates or through polymer
formulations. However, one vehicle may not meet all delivery needs and
progress in liposome formulations has also met with considerable success.
The role of Mabs
Some developers have chosen to harness the natural ability of monoclonal
antibodies to target cells and where they may not make the grade as an
immunotherapeutic, they may become useful carriers for drugs and the delivery
of diagnostics and radiation. In addition, an array of antibody fragments and
other gene targeting agents (aptamers, oligonucleotides) are also under
investigation as targeting ligands for delivery.
This report identifies 25 companies which have active research and clinical
programmes evaluating targeted delivery carriers. By 2015 we anticipate 15 of
these companies may have new or improved formulations of approved products on
the market that will help to address the high unmet clinical need for
"targeted" therapies. It is anticipated that nearly 30 new products will enter
the market to generate an additional US$2 billion in advanced drug delivery
sales. These products cover a number of key therapy areas including, cancer,
cardiovascular and infectious disease.
Combination products are the future
Over time the line between each delivery system will become blurred as
combination delivery systems evolve to meet the specific needs for each
therapy class. As advances in nanotechnologies help to miniaturize delivery
platforms, developments in targeting vehicles will grow to ensure the specific
and selective intracellular and intranuclear delivery - providing the right
drug at the right time to the right cell.
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