Liposome Drug Delivery Market Trends

Growth Drivers

• Expanding opportunities through regulatory approvals: This is a key driver in the market as these approvals enhance credibility, expand market access, and accelerate commercialization. Regulatory approvals validate the safety, and quality of liposomal formulations, encouraging wider adoption in oncology, infectious diseases, and other therapeutic areas. In February 2024, approved irinotecan liposome with oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and leucovorin, for the first-line treatment of metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma. As the FDA continues to support advanced drug delivery technologies, more companies are investing in the market leading to growth.
• Increased use of quality by design (QbD) over traditional methods: Owing to the popularity of rational-based methods like QbD over empirical and simulation-based techniques, procedures have been upgraded. In contrast to traditional techniques that rely on trial and error, QbD is based on a fact-based rational strategy that allows for superior decision-making. The popularity and application of the QbD approach are expected to propel market growth by improving cost efficiency and accelerating regulatory approvals.

Challenges

• Stability and shelf-life issues: The physical and chemical stability of this drug formulation can impact its shelf-life and therapeutic efficacy. Factors such as lipid oxidation, drug leakage, and aggregation can cause degradation over time, reducing effectiveness. Maintaining stability requires optimized storage conditions, such as low temperatures and specific pH levels, which increase logistical and cost burdens.
• Limited drug loading capacity: Liposomes have finite space for drug encapsulation, and some drugs exhibit poor solubility or instability within liposomal structures, limiting their therapeutic potential. This challenge affects the dose concentration, requiring higher administration volumes or frequent dosing. Hence, the interaction between lipids and drug molecules is crucial to maximizing the benefits of liposomal drug delivery.