Nanotechnology alliance

Published: 1-Nov-2003


An alliance of industry, government and academia in Japan aims to develop next-generation pharmaceuticals whose effectiveness is increased by use of nanotechnology and targeted drug delivery systems. It hopes to conduct clinical trials within three to five years.

Unlike conventional drugs that reach the targeted area only in trace amounts, the new drug delivery system will enable targeted administration of drug-carrying capsules that are several tens of nanometers in size. These are small enough to pass through capillaries to the area requiring treatment, improving its effectiveness and possibly enabling dosage to be reduced.

Anticancer capsules will be coated with specialised molecules that attach to cancer cells when the capsules release agents to fight the cancer. The programme will also develop nanocapsules containing insulin for the treatment of diabetes. For treatments now involving injections, oral applications are a possibility, thus improving quality of life.

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