Nasal delivery system for peptide drugs : market trend and technology development

Abstract

Nasal route has been gaining attention as an alternative systemic delivery route to injection for peptide drugs. Although high bioavailability can be expected by intranasal administration due to the physiological characteristics of the nasal cavity, there are still several barriers to be overcome for peptide drugs : mucus, penetration and enzymatic barriers.
Recently, we have established new strategies for improving nasal peptide absorption by concurrently using two kinds of enhancers having different mode of action, or by powdery formulation using non-water-absorbable carrier.
This paper, starting with the basis for developing nasal drug delivery systems, will review marketed products from formulational aspects, and introduce our recent approaches for improving nasal absorption of peptide drugs.