Novel drug delivery device demand on the rise
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 market, according to new analysis from Frost & Sullivan.
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 market, according to new analysis from Frost & Sullivan.
European Drug Delivery Market-Opportunity Analysis finds that the European pulmonary drug delivery market earned revenues of US$7bn (Euro 4.45bn) in 2007 and expects this to reach $12.94bn ( €8.22bn) in 2014. The analysis also finds that the European transdermal drug delivery market earned revenues of $4.04bn ( €2.57bn) in 2007 and forecasts a figure of $7.87bn ( €5.00bn) in 2014.
The foremost challenge presented by the pulmonary route of drug delivery is the inability to deliver drugs directly to the alveoli. In addition, 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," said Frost & Sullivan industry analyst Sylvia Miriyam Findlay. "This will be critical to sustaining market growth, as the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry is moving towards monoclonal antibody (Mab) therapeutics."