Title:Recent Patents in Pulmonary Delivery of Macromolecules
Volume: 9
Issue: 3
Author(s): Animikh Ray, Abhirup Mandal and Ashim K. Mitra
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Drug delivery, macromolecules, nanotechnology, proteins, pulmonary, siRNA.
Abstract: Pulmonary delivery is a non-invasive form of delivery that holds tremendous therapeutic
promise for topical and systemic administration of several macromolecules. Oral administration of
macromolecules has several limitations such as low bioavailability, degradation of drug before reaching
circulation and insufficient absorption across intestinal membrane. Administration of macromolecules
such as proteins, peptides and nucleic acids via inhalation offers great potential due to the avoidance
of first pass metabolism, higher surface area and rapid clinical response. However, delivery of reproducible, uniform
and safe doses of inhaled particles remains a major challenge for clinical translation. Recent advances in the fields of biotechnology
and particle engineering led to progress in novel pulmonary drug delivery systems. Moreover, significant developments
in carriers and delivery devices prevent denaturation of macromolecules and control their release within the
lungs. This article reviews the advances in pulmonary drug delivery systems by focusing on the recent patents in delivery
of macromolecules. Furthermore, recent patents in gene delivery to the lungs have also been discussed. List of patents included
in this review is comprehensive in terms of pulmonary delivery of therapeutics. It includes inventions related to
proteins and peptides, DNA therapeutics, siRNA and other genetic materials with therapeutic applications. The diseases
targeted by these therapeutic molecules are varied including but not limited to different forms of cancer, respiratory diseases
etc.
