Polymer- and Lipid-Based Systems for Parenteral Drug Delivery

The field of drug delivery technology research has continued to grow in recent decades, expanding from technologies traditionally focused on controlled release to now include nanotechnologies and functionalized molecular architectures for target-specific delivery. While these emerging novel technologies are beginning to mature, many of the clinical applications of controlled-release drug delivery technologies continue to focus on well-characterized biodegradable polymer particles, in situ forming gel depots, and lipid-based particulate formulations. This review principally focuses on the physicochemical and functional characteristics of in situ forming semisolid depot formulations and lipid-based drug delivery technologies and also discusses the broader considerations in bringing drug delivery-enabled products to market.