Interdisciplinary research is now leading to breakthroughs in the field of bio-nanotechnology research. But in order to commercialize research, the need of the hour is an environment of innovation, continual improvement, optimized management and flexible regulatory approach, said Dr. Paranjothy Kanni, director-Technology Management, Institute for Drug Delivery and Biomedical Research,
Drug delivery systems (DDS),which are based on interdisciplinary approaches combines polymer science, pharmaceutics, chemistry and molecular biology. A new method for drug development has become a reality. Controlled drug release and subsequent bio-degradation are important for developing successful formulations, he added.
According to Dr. Kanni who was addressing a seminar on drug research organised by IDBR here in Bengaluru, inter disciplinary approach leads to translational research. The field of drug delivery is highly interdisciplinary, covering aspects from biophysics to cellular biology. Therefore collaborations have often had a key role in success.
“Earlier a few years ago, the drug delivery and advanced research resembled science fiction. Today, we have started experiencing the reality. We now see the emergence of startup companies working with modern technologies to make research more dependable. Drug delivery approach is going to bring revolutionary medicines with newer systems that we have never imagined”, he pointed out.
Quoting The Lancet, Dr. Kanni said ‘drug discovery technologies have the likelihood of getting the right medicines at the right place and at the right time’. In olden days the patients consumed bitter cinchona bark. In the present day, patients are reclining in the comfort of a bed and sipping lucid syrups or taking advanced drug delivery systems like sustained release tablets or applying transdermal patches among others.
Currently, scientific research in drug delivery is emerging right from the fundamental sources to the most advanced, smart applications in bringing QOL (Quality of Life) in healthcare system. Use of multifunctional and smart excipients are seen to have transformed the drug development landscape.
The pharmaceutical industry demands innovation in a short period of time so as to gain access to new products in the market. The existing excipients have been modified, co-processed, modifications are made with existing ones or cross-linked in order to improve its characteristics and impart good compatibility, dissolution, disintegration, palatability to formulate new drugs.
The modern attributes of drug molecules are those that are novel biological targets with known disease, markers to cater to personalized healthcare needs. These novel molecules are highly potent, with wide therapeutic index and well tolerated. These are manufacturable using robust processes. Moreover novel biologicals are known for better stability on the shelves and during transport, said Dr. Kanni.
Interdisciplinary approach is critical to successful drug delivery. A flexible interdisciplinary approach is critical to the future drug delivery innovation. Therefore drug delivery system can make or break a drug. However, there are also failures of great research concepts attributed to lack of collaboration opportunities, poor grant success rates, no direction or mentorship, conservative approach and negative personal traits, he said.
But there are also several positives of interdisciplinary research which happen with the refining and proper shaping of ideas, better presentation of project to granting agencies, successfully translational and improvement in the quality of life of patients, pointed out Dr. Kanni.