Innovative Drug Delivery Systems Offer Considerable Potential in the European Pharmaceutical Market

The demand for novel drug delivery systems is increasing, and pharmaceutical companies have been involved in developing innovative new methods. Impending patent expirations will stimulate a surge in novel drug-delivery methods for existing products, while sophisticated reformulation will generate substantial revenues in the European pharmaceutical industry, according to a recent report.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (Palo Alto, CA, USA), an international growth consultancy company, found that the European pulmonary drug delivery market earned revenues of US$7 billion in 2007 and estimates this to reach $13 billion by 2014. The analysis also finds that the European transdermal drug-delivery market earned about $4 billion in 2007 and estimates this to near $8 billion in 2014.

"Drug delivery is a fast growing and highly dynamic segment of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry,” noted Frost & Sullivan industry analyst Sylvia Miriyam Findlay. "Various factors have contributed to the growth of this area, including the poor efficacies of certain drugs, patent expirations, and the urgent need for life cycle management facing drugs nearing patent expiry.”

However, pharmaceutical companies are looking to enhance the safety record of their products by introducing novel drug-delivery technologies. This will also enhance their competitive edge and enable them to maximize revenue generation. The primary challenge presented by the pulmonary route of drug delivery is the inability to deliver drugs directly to the alveoli. Moreover, large molecules do not permeate the skin barrier, and hence fail to be delivered by the transdermal method. Ineffective drug delivery presents a significant technological challenge to market expansion.

"Market participants should focus on developing novel technologies that support the passage of large peptides,” noted Ms. Findlay. "This will be critical to sustaining market growth, as the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry is moving towards monoclonal antibody [Mab] therapeutics. Mabs, which are large peptides, are already being used in various therapeutic applications.”

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