From nanoscale to clinic: The growing impact of nanotechnology in translational drug delivery

Abstract

Abstract Background and purpose From the early use of liposomes in the 1960s to modern nucleic acid delivery platforms, nanotechnology has shown its value in drug delivery and diagnostic applications. A wide range of nanostructures has been investigated for drug delivery, including inorganic, polymeric and lipid-based nanomaterials. While some of these nanomaterials have reached more advanced stages of clinical development, some even reaching commercialization, new alternatives are continuously being explored. Approach This review describes the different categories of nanomaterials being used as nanocarriers and provides concrete representative examples of commercially approved products. Key results Current trends of nanotechnology developments in the pharmaceutical market largely focus on the treatment of cancer, infectious diseases, central nervous system disorders and cardiovascular diseases. At the same time, lipid nanoparticle platforms are gaining relevance in current development pipelines. However, some of the main challenges limiting clinical translation include manufacturability, scale-up, long-term stability, regulatory uncertainty, intellectual property issues and the lack of representative preclinical study models. Conclusion Nanotechnology has become a fundamental breakthrough in medicine, especially for advanced therapies such as gene silencing or gene editing alternatives. All things considered, no universal nanocarrier fits all biomedical applications; the evolution of the field depends on several platforms demonstrating their individual potential.