Nanofibres in drug delivery

What is it about?

This volume explores the use of polymer nanofibres for drug delivery. It starts by introducing the electrospinning technique, a novel approach to generate drug/polymer composites in the form of nanofibres. It then discusses how this approach can be used to make drug delivery systems. The various types of materials which can be produced and the range of potential applications in biomedicine are comprehensively considered. The book finishes by reviewing other approaches to polymer nanofibre fabrication, scale up, and other considerations that must be considered for translation to the clinic.

Featured Image

Photo by Andrei Lazarev on Unsplash

Photo by Andrei Lazarev on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Electrospinning and electrospraying have, in recent years, attracted increasing attention in the pharmaceutical sector. The use of electrical energy for solution solidification in these techniques is attractive because it obviates the need to apply heat, and thus does not damage thermally labile active pharmaceutical ingredients. Research in this area has advanced rapidly. It is now possible to prepare extremely complex systems using multi-fluid processes and to increase production rates to the industrial scale. Electrospun formulations can be produced under GMP conditions and one such material, the Rivelin Patch, is in clinical trials. The electrospinning technique is thus on the cusp of widespread industrial adoption. This book is designed to provide an introduction to the field for new researchers in the area, as well as overviewing the major developments in the technology.