Sensing technologies and experimental platforms for the characterization of advanced oral drug delivery systems

Complex and miniaturized oral drug delivery systems are being developed rapidly for targeted, controlled drug release and improved bioavailability. Standard analytical techniques are widely used to characterize i) drug carrier and active pharmaceutical ingredients before loading into a delivery device (to ensure the solid form), and ii) the entire drug delivery system during the development process.

Highlights

Standard analytical tools are used for the investigation of µm sized oral drug delivery systems.

Purpose-made sensors and experimental platforms are also needed for characterization.

Comprehensive efficacy, stability, and safety studies are needed to reach the clinical phase.

However, in light of the complexity and the size of some of these systems, standard techniques as well as novel sensing technologies and experimental platforms need to be used in tandem. These technologies and platforms are discussed in this review, with a special focus on passive delivery systems in size range from a few 100 µm to a few mm. Challenges associated with characterizing these systems and evaluating their effect on oral drug delivery in the preclinical phase are also discussed.

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Article information: Peter Ouma Okeyo, Sriram Thoppe Rajendran, Kinga Zór, Anja Boisen, Sensing technologies and experimental platforms for the characterization of advanced oral drug delivery systems, Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, Volume 176, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addr.2021.113850.