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Drug delivery & formulation glossary & taxonomy
Evolving Terminology for Emerging Technologies
Comments? Questions? Revisions?  Mary Chitty 
mchitty@healthtech.com
Last revised April 28, 2012
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active transport of drugs: Carriage of a solute across a biological membrane, which requires a suitable carrier and the expenditure of energy. IUPAC Pharmaceutics

adjuvant: 1. Additive with no intended pharmacological action, used in the formulation of dosage forms.  2. In pharmacology, a substance added to a drug to speed or increase the action of the main component. 3. In immunology, a substance (such as aluminum hydroxide) or an organism (such as killed mycobacterium) that increases the response to an antigen.  IUPAC Pharmaceutics

adjuvants and delivery -- vaccines: Adjuvants and Novel Delivery Systems are widely accepted as key to creating more efficacious vaccines with improved methods for storage and delivery. This leading vaccine meeting addresses the ongoing achievements of creating the next generation of vaccines, including toll-like receptor technology and DNA vaccines. Though lack of FDA approval for new adjuvants presents a major hurdle, researchers continue to delineate adjuvants’ mode of action in the quest to improve vaccines for human use. 

Adjuvants & Delivery Systems August 15-16, 2012 • Cambridge, MA Program | Register | Download Brochure
Adjuvants & Delivery Systems

administration of drugs, parenteral route: Method of introducing substances into an organism, avoiding the gastrointestinal tract [1].Note 1: Parenteral routes may be employed whenever enteral routes are contraindicated or inadequate. Note 2: Parenteral administration includes some conventional (intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous) and some special (intradermal, intraventricular, etc.) routes. Note 3: Parenteral products can be solutions, suspensions, and emulsions. They are presented as sterile products. It is commonly used to imply administration by injection or infusion. IUPAC Pharmaceutics

bioavailability: 1. Ratio of the systemic exposure from extravascular (ev) exposure to that following intravenous (iv) exposure as described by the equation: where F is the bioavailability, A and B are areas under the (plasma) concentration-time curve following ev and iv administration, respectively, and Dev and Div are the administered ev and iv doses. 2. Relative amount of the administered dose of a drug that reaches systemic circulation from a certain dosage form in comparison to the amount that reaches the systemic circulation by iv administration. See also relative bioavailability. [7,12] IUPAC Pharmaceutics

bioequivalence: 1. Relationship between two preparations of the same drug in the same dosage form that have a similar bioavailability.2. Dosage forms containing the same drug are said to be bioequivalent if they do not differ significantly in the bioavailability (e.g., AUC, cmax, tmax.) of the active constituent/ingredient, when administered in the same dose under similar experimental conditions. [12]  IUPAC Pharmaceutics

biologics delivery:  Sessions included penetration and distribution, selective targeting of tumors, engineering for delivery, delivery of antibodies, clinical challenges with RNAi therapeutics, novel formulations for RNAi delivery, and novel approaches for targeted delivery. Delivery of Biologics Molecular Medicine conference Feb 3-5, 2010 • San Francisco, CA Program | Order CD |  
biologics formulation: 
PepTalk's Pipeline One covers the latest trends and challenges in biologics formulation and development with a focus on: improving time to market via early formulations and characterization, enhancing solubility, overcoming aggregation challenges, utilizing enabling analytical methodologies, integrating protein formulations with parenteral administration devices, managing tech transfer challenges, using experimental design and high-throughput principles, scale up, and overcoming challenges in freeze drying.  Optimizing Biologics Formulation Development  January 9-10, 2012 • Coronado, CA Program | Register | Download Brochure
Optimizing Biologics Formulation Development


biopharmaceutics: Branch of pharmaceutical science that deals with the fate of drugs in the living system; particularly the release of the drug from its dosage form into a biological medium, its passage across membranes into the systemic circulation, metabolism, and elimination, and the application of this knowledge to obtain the desired therapeutic effect.  IUPAC Pharmaceutics

Biopharmaceutics Classification System BCS Guidance: Goals of the BCS Guidance: To improve the efficiency of drug development and the review process by recommending a strategy for identifying expendable clinical bioequivalence tests. To recommend a class of immediate-release (IR) solid oral dosage forms for which bioequivalence may be assessed based on in vitro dissolution tests. To recommend methods for classification according to dosage form dissolution, along with the solubility and permeability characteristics of the drug substance. CDER, FDA http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/CDER/ucm128219.htm

blood brain barrier: Achieving blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration remains a significant hurdle for successfully prosecuting CNS targets. Decades of research have failed to yield a single “sure-fire” approach to ensure CNS penetration. The current state of CNS drug discovery suggests that a more holistic approach is necessary, one that considers a balance of ADME and physicochemical properties.  Dealing with the Blood-Brain Barrier DVD, Molecular Medicine 2010   

Dealing with the Blood-Brain Barrier DVD June 14, 2010   

CNS diseases are a major focus of the pharmaceutical industry, with CNS drugs representing some of its most successful products. However, drug discovery and development researchers experience difficulty developing CNS drugs that complete clinical trials and win regulatory approval—especially drugs which meet major unmet needs in the CNS area, such as Alzheimer’s disease. The vast majority of drugs fail to cross the BBB, which is causing a major bottleneck in successful development of CNS drug candidates. Insight Pharma Reports, Blood Brain Barrier Overview, 2008

carrier-mediated drug transport: Transfer of a drug across a membrane by a transporter (often a protein) constituent of the cytosol membrane. Also known as active transport as opposed to passive diffusion/absorption. IUPAC Pharmaceutics

cosolvent: Vehicle (often ethanol) used in combination to increase the solubility of drugs. Frequently, the solubility of a drug in a mixed solvent system is greater than can be predicted from its solubility in each solvent component separately. IUPAC Pharmaceutics

crystalline: Term that describes a solid of regular shape and the presence of three-dimensional order on the level of atomic dimensions, for a given molecule. Note 1: Crystallinity may be detected by diffraction techniques, heat-of-fusion measurements, etc. Note 2: Crystalline forms are often preferred, over amorphous forms, in pharmaceutical dosage forms, due to uniformity, reproducibility, and sometimes lack of hygroscopicity IUPAC Pharmaceutics

dosage form: Formulated preparation of molecules/drugs that are rarely if ever suitable for administration to patients without additives. See also tablet, syrup, solution, cream, suppositories, etc. IUPAC Pharmaceutics

drug delivery system: Sophisticated dosage form, which, by its construction, is able to modify/control the availability of the drug substance to the body by temporal or spatial considerations. controlled release, extended release, delayed release, delayed action, dosage form, depot, embedding, gradual release, fast release or immediate release, i.e., conventional dosage form, implants, liposome, long-acting, modified release, prolonged action, pulsatile release slow release. : IUPAC Pharmaceutics

drug delivery technologies advanced: describes the reformulation of drugs to enable lower doses, more convenient delivery routes, and supplemental therapeutic indications. Includes use of nanotechnology for drug delivery, nucleic acid drug delivery, enabling role of medical devices and role of delivery technologies in drug lifecycle management. Insight Pharma Reports Advanced Drug Delivery Technologies 2011

drug-eluting stent: Refers to a stent with an active drug that is intended to produce a therapeutic effect (e.g., reduction of restenosis) [13]. IUPAC Pharmaceutics

formulation: Summary of operations carried out to convert a pharmacologically active compound into a dosage form suitable for administration. See also drug delivery systems, excipient, solubilizing agents. IUPAC  Pharmaceutics

formulation proteins high concentration: At higher concentrations, proteins or antibodies exhibit characteristic problems including aggregation, precipitation, gelation, and increased viscosity. Development of these high protein concentration formulations results in several manufacturing, stability, analytical, and delivery challenges. Thus, development of formulations for protein drugs requiring high dosing and subcutaneous (SC) delivery requires specific strategies. High-Concentration Protein Formulations August 22, 2012 • Boston, MA Program | Register | Download Brochure

gene therapy:
Use of products containing genetic material (e.g., pDNA, antisense DNA, siRNA) to treat a disease or condition, or to modify or manipulate the expression of genetic material or to alter the biological properties of living cells. IUPAC Pharmaceutics

liposome: Artificial spherical lipid bilayer droplet formed mainly from phospholipids having a core of waterphase, small enough to form a relatively stable dispersion in aqueous media and with potential use in drug delivery. [3] IUPAC Pharmaceutics

micelle(s): Aggregates of colloidal dimensions (i.e., association of colloids) formed reversibly from amphiphile molecules. [3]  Note 1: A micelle is thus a structural unit of the dispersed phase (surfactant) in an emulsion, suspension, or a gel; a unit whose repetition in three dimensions constitutes the micellar structure of the gel; it does not denote the individual particles in free suspension or solution, or the unit structure of a crystal. Note 2: Arrangements of groups of molecules of hydrophobic liquids in aqueous environment, formed by surface-active agents. [7]  See also critical micelle concentration. IUPAC Pharmaceutics

microfiltration: Pressure-driven, membrane-based separation process in which particles and dissolved macromolecules larger than 0.1 μm are rejected. Note: Can be used for sterilization with 0.22-μm size filters. [18] IUPAC Pharmaceutics

microsphere:
Solid spherical particles of micron-size range, used as matrix dosage forms. IUPAC  Pharmaceutics

Microspheres are generally defined as small spheres made of any material and sized from about 0.5 µm to 100 µm. Similar, but smaller spheres sized 10 to 500 nm are called nanospheres. Ideally, microspheres are completely spherical and homogeneous in size, although less perfect particles are often termed microspheres as well. Depending on the preparation method and material used, microspheres show a typical size distribution which often deviates from the mono- sized ideal. [Urs Häfeli "Radioactive Microspheres for Medical Applications" High Care Bochum Germany Feb. 25-27, 2000] http://www.highcare.de/abstracts/HTML0051.htm      Google = about 26,800 Aug. 8, 2002; about 112,000 June 23, 2004

molecular pharmaceutics: Molecular Pharmaceutics publishes the results of original research that contributes significantly to the molecular mechanistic understanding of drug delivery and drug delivery systems.,,, Scientific areas within the scope of the journal include physical and pharmaceutical chemistry, biochemistry and biophysics, molecular and cellular biology, and polymer and materials science as they relate to drug and drug delivery system efficacy. American Chemical Society, About Molecular Pharmaceutics http://pubs.acs.org/page/mpohbp/about.html   Broader term: pharmaceutics

nanodelivery: Targeted therapy offers the promise of creating drugs that by the specificity of their design and delivery make them both more effective and less toxic. Multifunctional devices offer novel capabilities, including the possibility of delivering a detection, imaging agent, and drug in one vehicle. This creates the unique advantage of being able to give distribution data and traceability through the use of one agent, that can in tandem detect, address, and monitor disease. This functionality can be leveraged to deliver multiple combinations of drugs by extended release. Nanotechnology promises to create a break-through class of imaging agents that offer distinct advantages and can be used for the early detection and diagnosis of disease. Diagnostic molecules have the potential to act as biomarkers in drug development and diagnostics, and can be used in the imaging of cancer in living subjects. Targeted Nanodelivery for therapeutics and molecular imaging, Oct. 11-12, 2006, Baltimore MD  Order CD

nanoencapsulation: Formation of nanoparticles encapsulating a drug. IUPAC Pharmaceutics

nanoparticles: Microscopic particle whose size is measured in nanometers, often restricted to so-called nanosized particles  (NSPs; <100 nm in aerodynamic diameter), also called ultrafine particles. Note 1: Drug may be embedded in (as in a matrix) or adsorbed or encapsulated. Note 2: Particles containing drug of sizes less than 0.5 μm are often named as nanoparticles. [3] IUPAC  Pharmaceutics  Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanoparticle   See also Miniaturization & Nanoscience

ophthalmological delivery: Because nothing that concerns intervention with the visual system is trivial, highly innovative specialist companies dominate development on the pharmacological as well as on the drug delivery side, which is immensely important in ophthalmological medicine. Insight Pharma Reports Ophthalmological Therapeutics: Pipelines, Delivery Technologies, and Markets, Insight Pharma Reports, 2008

parenteral: See administration of drugs, parenteral. IUPAC Pharmaceutics

pharmaceutics: Science of preparation of drugs, dosage forms, and drug delivery systems taking into account the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the drug as well as its physical and chemical properties. IUPAC Pharmaceutics Narrower term: molecular pharmaceutics

pharmacodelivery: Site-directed pharmacodelivery is a desirable but elusive goal. Endothelium and epithelium create formidable barriers to endogenous molecules as well as targeted therapies in vivo. Deidre P. MacIntosh et. al, Targeting endothelium and its dynamic caveolae for tissue-specific transcytosis in vivo: A pathway to overcome cell barriers to drug and gene delivery, PNAS 99 (4): 1996-2001, Feb. 19, 2002 http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/full/99/4/1996 

polymorph: Solid material that exists at least in two different molecular arrangements, i.e., distinctly different crystal species. Note 1: The differences between polymorphs disappear in solution or in the vapor phase. Note 2: Solubility, melting point, density, crystal shape, crystal structure, and some other physical properties often differ from one polymorph to the other. IUPAC Pharmaceutics

polymorphic transition: Transition of a solid crystalline phase to another phase having the same chemical composition but a different crystal structure. Note: The transition may occur at a characteristic temperature and pressure, called the inversion point.  [3,20] IUPAC Pharmaceutics

polymorphism:
Existence of two or more different crystal structures for the same compound. IUPAC Pharmaceutics

preformulation: Exploratory activity that begins early in pharmaceutics, involving studies designed to determine the compatibility of excipients with the active substance for a biopharmaceutical; physicochemical and bioanalytical investigation in support of promising experimental formulations. [21] IUPAC Pharmaceutics

prodrug: Chemically modified form of a pharmacologically active compound that has to undergo biochemical or chemical transformation before exhibiting its pharmacological effect.  IUPAC Pharmaceutics

protein delivery: It is a safe bet that if a therapeutic protein is bringing in big money and its patent is nearing expiration, someone somewhere with a clever technology is planning a market invasion based on improving how the protein is delivered. Insight Pharma Reports Delivery Technologies for Protein Therapeutics: Assessment and Outlook  2007

protein device combinations: Protein-Device Combinations  January 11-12, 2012 • Coronado, CA Program | Register | Download Brochure
Protein-Device Combinations

RNAi therapeutics delivery: Interfering RNA (RNAi) offers tremendous therapeutic promise to silence genes that give rise to bad, proteins and, therefore, disease.  Many products have already reached the market to test the promise that RNAi holds. As RNAi technology progresses, many companies are now trying to increase their shares in the research market by shifting some of their resources to in vitro and in vivo work. The real prize, however, is in therapeutics. Insight Pharma Reports RNAi Therapeutics: Challenges in Drug Development and Delivery, 2005

Tackling RNAi Delivery Part of the RNAI Summit, 2009  Order CD Sessions included exploring varied delivery systems and achieving targeted delivery.


Bibliography

Optimizing Biologics Formulation Development January 10-11, 2011 • Coronado, CA Program | Register | Download Brochure    
Protein-Device Combinations part of PepTalk January 12-13, 2011 • Coronado, CA Program | Register | Download Brochure    
Novel Vaccines: Adjuvants & Delivery Systems
 August 17-18, 2011 • Cambridge, MA Program | Register | Download Brochure
Immunotherapeutics & Vaccines  August 18-19, 2010 • Cambridge, MA Program | Download Brochure Order CD includes track Adjuvants & delivery systems 2009 also includes track Novel Vaccines: Adjuvants & Delivery Systems
Dealing with the Blood-Brain Barrier DVD, Molecular Medicine 2010
Molecular Medicine tracks: Cancer biologics, Delivery of biologics  2010 Order CD
PEGs Protein Engineering 2009 includes track on Engineering protein therapeutics for delivery
PepTalk 2010 included a track on
Optimizing Biologics Formulation Development
PepTalk 2009 included a track on Protein dosage forms development & formulation
RNAI Summit, 2009  Order CD includes Tackling RNAi delivery

Insight Pharma Reports Advanced Drug Delivery Technologies 2011
Insight Pharma Reports, Blood Brain Barrier Overview, 2008
Insight Pharma Reports, Delivery Technologies for Protein Therapeutics: Assessment and Outlook  2007
Insight Pharma Reports,  Ophthalmological Therapeutics: Pipelines, Delivery Technologies, and Markets, 2008   
Insight Pharma Reports RNAi Therapeutics 2010
Insight Pharma Reports, RNAi Therapeutics: Challenges in Drug Development and Delivery, 2005

Contract Pharma Glossary of Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Terms, revised annually 500 plus terms http://www.contractpharma.com/glossary 
IUPAC, Glossary of terms related to pharmaceutics, Pure and Applied Chemistry 81, 971–999, 2009, 168 definitions  http://www.iupac.org/publications/pac/pdf/2009/pdf/8105x0971.pdf 

Alpha glossary index
How to look for other unfamiliar  terms

IUPAC definitions are reprinted with the permission of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.


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