Innovative dosage form technologies needed to meet R&D challenges

Pharmaceutical companies are recognising the need to meet changing dosage needs, a poll suggests.

The majority of pharmaceutical industry decision-makers believe that innovative dosage form technologies are needed to meet challenges faced during research and development, a survey has found.

A poll of 500 influencers in Europe and the US, conducted on behalf of drug delivery innovator Capsugel, found that 82 per cent view this as important.

More than three-quarters (76 per cent) also said their company was attempting to improve its products by developing options such as patient-centric dosing, combination therapy or controlled release.

Nigel Walker, managing director of market intelligence company Nice Insight, said: "This survey provides critical insights into R&D needs in terms of dosage innovation and outsourcing decisions today and in the future.

"This type of understanding is fundamental to interpreting the innovation likely to be required to meet evolving patient-centric dosage needs driven by healthcare trends."

The survey also revealed that many companies have limited in-house expertise with regard to developing novel drug formulations and delivery systems, with 58 per cent outsourcing dosage form development.