Cyclodextrins as Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients: New Developments as a Platform Technology for Drug Discovery

Abstract

Cyclodextrins (CDs) have long been recognized as indispensable molecular scaffolds in the pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences, owing to their capacity to enhance the solubility and stability of hydrophobic compounds. Our lab­oratory has systematically advanced the application of CDs as enabling technologies in drug development. In particular, our research has encompassed the formulation of poorly water-soluble agents, the stabilization of labile pharmaceuticals, the development of targeted delivery carriers, and the rational design of novel CD derivatives for the modulation of pharmacokinetic behavior. Furthermore, CD-based drug delivery platforms have demonstrated considerable promise in addressing therapeutic areas characterized by substantial unmet medical needs, such as oncology and neurological disorders. Recently, translational research has extended toward the direct utilization of CDs as active pharmaceutical ingredients. In this paper, we will provide a comprehensive account of our research endeavors and delineate future perspectives on the contribution of CD science to innovative drug discovery and development.