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INTRODUCTION
The emergence of biologic drugs and patient-friendly delivery methods, such as prefilled syringes and autoinjectors, are necessitating early, close collaboration between drug delivery system manufacturers and their pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical partners. These new therapies require innovative packaging material to avoid adverse chemical interactions and to accommodate higher volumes. Biologics have also created an increased need for innovative systems that can deliver larger dosages over longer periods, and with increased self-dosage, these systems must be intuitive and easy to use.
The need for innovative delivery platforms will only expand, as the demand for biologic therapies is expected to grow throughout the next decade. According to research by Future Marketing Insights, biologics represent about “10% to 15% of revenue from overall revenue generated by leading pharmaceutical companies.” The study also found that the biologics contract manufacturing market should double in 5 years.
In addition to the growth of biologics, the market will also see a marked uptick in the introduction of biosimilars. In 2015, the FDA approved Sandoz’s Zarxio®, the first biosimilar approved in the US. Since that time, three other biosimilars have been given the FDA’s blessing: Celltrion®, Pfizer’s Inflectra®, Sandoz’s Erelzi®, and Amgen's Amjevita®. At least 10 more biologics are expected to come off patent within the next 5 years, and according to IMS health, 28% of generics spending will be on biosimilars by 2020, further bolstering the assertion that biosimilars represent a new wave of generic market expansion. As biosimilars assume a more significant market share, the need for innovative delivery platforms will continue to grow. As such, the pharmaceutical companies are relying on drug delivery technology partners to provide containment, delivery, and contract manufacturing expertise so that they can focus on developing these important drugs.
To that end, more than ever, contract manufacturing must deliver continuous innovation and flexibility to accommodate the delivery of a wide range of drugs throughout each therapy’s lifecycle. Such partners, either through the development of proprietary technology or adapting existing platforms and offerings, should deliver innovative products and institute processes that offer pharmaceutical companies the opportunity to deliver a safe, effective, and easy-to-administer therapy to market.
DEVELOPING COMPLEX, POPULAR DELIVERY SYSTEMS
Technology is a ubiquitous part of our culture, and delivery platforms are following this trend. This...