A number of factors are creating interest in dry drug formulations. The growth in protein and peptide drugs is forcing drug developers to deal with their in vitro and in vivo stability limitations. Formulation these biological as powder can solve both issues. Lyophilization is employed to stabilize biologicals outside the cold chain.  Inhalable powders are replacing liquid inhaler drugs for many indications. Sustained release dry powder formulations offer several possible benefits. Drugs that can be released over an extended period hold the promise of less frequent dosing. One goal of inhaled drug developers is a formulation that can be taken once a day, reducing non-compliance related complications and costs. Some small molecules, such as Budsonide and Ketotifen, have been prepared in freeze-dried liposomes to form a dry powder dispersion for inhalation. The feasibility of lyophilization and milling for preparation of protein-liposome dry powders for pulmonary delivery is being explored. This report examines the benefits and opportunities of drug powder engineering and formulation.

Publication: May 2007