Review article

https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5599/admet.3495

From nanoscale to clinic: The growing impact of nanotechnology in translational drug delivery

Ronny Vargas orcid.org/0000-0001-7319-6145 ; Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain *
Fabiola Martos-Kikut ; Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
Noelia Martinez-Martinez ; Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Esteban Lara-Guerrero ; Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
Catalina Lizano-Barrantes ; Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
Jorge Andrés Pacheco-Molina ; Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
Miquel Romero-Obon ; Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Khadija Rouaz-El-Hajoui ; Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Encarna García-Montoya ; Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Pilar Pérez-Lozano ; Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Carlos Suñe ; Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine “López-Neyra” (IPBLN-CSIC), Granada, Spain *
Marc Suñe-Pou ; Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Background and purpose: From the early use of liposomes in the 1960s to modern nucleic acid delivery platforms, nanotechnology has shown its value in drug delivery and diagnostic applications. A wide range of nanostructures has been investigated for drug delivery, including inorganic, polymeric and lipid-based nanomaterials. While some of these nanomaterials have reached more advanced stages of clinical development, some even reaching commercialization, new alternatives are continuously being explored. Approach: This review describes the different categories of nanomaterials being used as nanocarriers and provides concrete representative examples of commercially approved products. Key results: Current trends of nanotechnology developments in the pharmaceutical market largely focus on the treatment of cancer, infectious diseases, central nervous system disorders and cardiovascular diseases. At the same time, lipid nanoparticle platforms are gaining relevance in current development pipelines. However, some of the main challenges limiting clinical translation include manufacturability, scale-up, long-term stability, regulatory uncertainty, intellectual property issues and the lack of representative preclinical study models. Conclusion: Nanotechnology has become a fundamental breakthrough in medicine, especially for advanced therapies such as gene silencing or gene editing alternatives. All things considered, no universal nanocarrier fits all biomedical applications; the evolution of the field depends on several platforms demonstrating their individual potential.

Keywords

Nanomedicine; clinical translation; regulatory approval; innovative drug carriers; advanced therapeutic

Hrčak ID:

350203

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/350203

Publication date:

27.7.2026.

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