Technology is key for the future of drug delivery, say industry experts

There is growing market potential for the integration of electronic functionality into drug delivery devices to improve patient outcomes, says a new report.

The report, '2020: a new drug delivery landscape', summarises the proceedings at two workshops hosted by UK-based Cambridge Consultants and attended by pharma industry experts earlier this year. Held in Leicestershire, UK and Boston, US, the workshops focused on the key issues and opportunities that will influence the drug delivery industry over the next 10 years.

According to the report's findings, devices with advanced electronic functionality are expected to take an increasing share of the systemic delivery market in the next few years, constituting a major growth opportunity for innovative companies. One perspective, particularly prevalent in the US, is that complex electronic technologies are maturing, enabling both regulators and pharma companies to gain the level of confidence in such systems needed for broad acceptance.

On a cautionary note, delegates from Europe pointed to increasing regulation surrounding waste and environmental impact. Issues such as battery and microelectronics disposal will require specific measures if they are not to impede the proliferation of such advanced devices.

"The world of pharmaceutical delivery is poised to realise many of the benefits of technological advances from other industries, where standards are reaching towards the requirements for medical applications, said Andrew Diston, Global Medtech Practice Leader at Cambridge Consultants. "These workshops identified much optimism in the market.

"Reliable microelectronics platforms may provide significant additional functionality and connectivity for new delivery devices, providing great opportunities for innovative pharma companies and new start ups alike to play a part in this healthcare revolution."

Delegates did, however, observe that, while there is currently a severe shortage in investment capital to fund such innovation, the bigger picture for the long term was more hopeful.

"What we see at the moment is governments in Europe and the US carefully considering the impact of an aging population and increasing chronic disease on the future cost of healthcare," Diston added. "The result of this will be a renewed effort to make healthcare expenditure go further, which will mean a renewed focus on efficient systems that deliver better patient outcomes.

"The future leaders in this new market may be those companies that capitalise on the opportunity to significantly improve patient outcomes through enhanced device functionality."