New Commercial Opportunities for Liposomes Emerge

Liposomes were once touted as membranous “magic bullets” that would be modern, all-purpose carriers for drugs, enzymes, and genetic material. While this overoptimistic appraisal led to disappointment, researchers have found new applications for liposome technology and new ways to engineer liposomes to perform specific functions. These applications have attracted investment in several liposome-based companies and in research programs at multinational pharmaceutical houses. A number of liposome-based diagnostic, therapeutic, and veterinary products will soon face the test of the marketplace. Meanwhile, promising research results indicate that highly focused R&D programs could lead to a new generation of immune stimulants and anti-cancer agents based upon the liposome's ability to stimulate cellular processes.