Drug Delivery Systems

US demand for drug delivery systems is projected to expand more than ten percent annually to $132 billion in 2012. Growth opportunities for drug delivery systems extend into all therapeutic classes of pharmaceuticals and encompass a wide range of compounds and formulations. Central nervous system, respiratory and hormone and related agents will remain the top three applications based on the special formulating needs of medicines for conditions such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, asthma, allergies and cancer. However, favorable growth opportunities will emerge for drug delivery systems in most other therapeutic classes due to safety and efficacy shortcomings in many conventional medicines.

Oral drug delivery systems will remain the largest method used for drug delivery. Orally disintegrating tablets and transmucosal drugs will generate strong growth opportunities in the delivery of pain control and other critical care medication. Ease of administration advantages will promote the widening use of chewable tablet dosages for nutritional, respiratory and central nervous system agents, especially pediatric preparations. Better solubility and pharmacokinetic actions will lead to rapid growth both in the number and sales of oral nanoparticle drugs.

Among pharmaceutical dosage formulations, parenteral preparations will provide the strongest growth opportunities for drug delivery systems. Precise targeting advantages in the treatment of cancer and other debilitating diseases will broaden demand for therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. Extended circulation and reduced toxicity benefits will expand the range of indications served by polymer- and liposome-encapsulated drugs, especially in the areas of cancer, neurological and anti-infective therapies. Ease of administration and infection prevention advantages will boost the market for parenteral drugs and solutions sold in prefilled syringes and premixed IV systems.

An increasing incidence of chronic respiratory conditions, coupled with the need for safer and more effective therapies, will boost growth prospects for inhalation drug delivery systems. Based on widespread use in asthma therapy, dry powder inhaler formulations will continue to record the largest share of sales. However, metered dose drugs will see slightly faster gains in demand due to ongoing improvements in particle size and propellent safety. Lastly, transdermal patches will continue to broaden pharmaceutical applications as advances in administration modalities and design lead to new uses in pain control and cardiovascular medication.

This new Freedonia industry study, Drug Delivery Systems, presents historical demand data (1997, 2002, 2007) plus forecasts for 2012 and 2017 by type and application. The study also considers US market environment factors, evaluates company market share and profiles 43 industry competitors.