Proteins are involved in many biological processes in the human body, as well as in micro-organisms such as bacteria and viruses, and, as such, deserve to be regarded as the 'work horses of the cell'.

DPIs: challenges for next generation therapies 01 April 2007

There have been significant advances, especially in understanding the role of carrier properties on the aerosol performance of the API.

Lactose, in particular alpha-lactose monohydrate, is typically used as 'the' carrier in dry powder inhalers. Even though these often tailored materials allow the delivery of medicines to the body in doses that are much lower than by 'conventional' solid dosage forms, the use of this excipient in this application is posing characterization and regulatory challenges to both suppliers and users.

This paper focuses on the skin penetration of terpenes depending on their physicochemical properties and influence of the type of dermatological vehicle that was used.

Terpenes are widely used in topical preparations. This paper focuses on the skin penetration of terpenes depending on their physicochemical properties and influence of the type of dermatological vehicle that was used. The structure of human skin and the skin penetration process is also briefly described.

Nanoparticulate drug carriers include a class of particles made of polymers or lipids that — because of their size and chemical composition —permit systemic and local treatment.

The needle and syringe have long been the standard delivery technology for vaccines. However, a confluence of market factors is driving new interest in alternative delivery systems that hold the potential to meet one or more of the following goals: improved antigen utilization, higher quality immune response, better stability and improved patient acceptance. Of particular interest are microneedle systems, otherwise referred to as microstuctured transdermal systems (MTS), that provide for targeted delivery of the vaccine formulation directly to antigen-presenting cells within the epidermis. This article provides a brief overview of MTS technology with an emphasis on solid-coated MTS for vaccine delivery.

The presence of very low levels of residues (including solvents) in excipients is becoming an important issue for users, and the presence of very low levels of ?non-lactose? species in DPI lactose may pose challenges to suppliers and users.

The attraction of nasal administered therapeutic agents is obvious, including faster onset of action, increased compliance and avoiding degradation during first pass metabolism.