Novel drug
delivery systems breathe new life into therapeutic peptides
16th September 2003, ADVANCES
IN DRUG delivery technology will contribute to a revival in the
development of peptides as therapeutic agents, predicts a new research
report from Urch Publishing.
At the moment very few peptides in
unmodified chemical form are used as drugs. The lack of peptide drugs in
the present drug armory is due to their poor stability in the
gastrointestinal system and in the circulatory system; peptides are
rapidly broken down by intrinsic peptidases and proteases. Poor stability
in the gastrointestinal system has required them to be administered
intravenously and their short half-life in the circulation has required a
number of them to be injected daily or even more frequently – an
unpleasant experience for the patient.
According to the report, Opportunities
in Drug Delivery - Identifying hot technologies, companies and markets,
there are at least 80 peptides are in various stages of clinical trials for a
wide range of indications and a further 60 candidates are in late-stage
pre-clinical trials. Approximately 50 companies have peptides in clinical trials
and a further 25–30 companies have peptides in late preclinical evaluation.
Most of the peptides in clinical trials are administered by injection but a
number of companies have been reported to be investigating alternative, more
patient-friendly, ways of administering their products.
Although there is clearly much work to be
done on these early-stage products, many of which will serve at this time as
prototypes for development of more active compounds. "The situation does
emphasise, however, the confidence that companies are placing in the possibility
of launching new peptides, each of which could represent a new opportunity for
drug-development companies to develop patient-friendly delivery forms,"
says the author of the report Dr Brian Minter.
Dr Minter believes, that with most of the
top-selling drugs already having been targeted for a wide range of delivery
systems, drug delivery companies will need to focus their technology
increasingly on new chemical entities in research and development (R&D). Of
the major drug-delivery companies profiled in these report, some 25 have
developed novel technologies for the delivery of peptides, polypeptides and
proteins. "There are considerable opportunities for drug-delivery companies
to collaborate with companies developing peptides and macromolecules including
oligonucleotides," he said.
Opportunities in Drug Delivery - Identifying
hot technologies, companies and markets, profiles
main drug-delivery methods and those products in developments. It contains
extensive figures and tables, profiles over 80 leading drug delivery companies
and mentions over 270 products. It is priced at $1600.00.
TO
ORDER CLICK HERE!
Urch Publishing Ltd is an independent
business information publisher dedicated to delivering high quality information
products to the global pharmaceuticals industry.
| 