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Indian pharma powers ahead with research on NDDS for painless, precision medicine delivery
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Nandita Vijayasimha, Bengaluru
July 10 , 2025
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Indian pharma is undergoing a significant transformation, not just in discovering novel therapeutics, but in its mode of innovative drug delivery. It is here microneedle patches, implantable pumps, inhalable biologics, nanoparticle-based carriers, liposomes, and modified oral formulations including sustained, controlled, and targeted release systems are at the forefront of this shift.
Nilesh Patel, managing director, Kashmik Formulation noted that Novel Drug Delivery Systems (NDDS) are redefining treatment paradigms. As treatment models shift towards greater precision, personalization, and patient-centricity, drug delivery systems are emerging as a key area of innovation. Increasingly, the efficacy of a treatment depends not only on the molecule, but on the mechanism by which it is administered.
Traditional delivery methods such as oral tablets, intravenous infusions, and transdermal patches have long served the industry. However, they are not always optimal for delivering complex molecules like biologics, to ensure consistent therapeutic outcomes. To address these limitations, even oral drugs are being reformulated using advanced technologies such as sustained release, controlled release, and targeted delivery systems. These approaches help maintain steady drug levels in the body over time, reduce the frequency of dosing, and improve patient adherence, he added.
Alongside these advancements, a new generation of NDDS is evolving to enhance bioavailability, precision, and convenience in therapy. We are seeing microneedle patches are emerging as a promising technology in transdermal drug delivery. These minimally invasive devices enable drugs to be delivered through the skin, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract and avoiding first-pass metabolism.
In applications ranging from vaccines to pain relief and insulin delivery, microneedles have demonstrated the potential to improve patient adherence and reduce the need for trained healthcare personnel. Their ease-of-use and low invasiveness make them particularly valuable for home-based or remote care models, especially in low-resource settings healthcare providers access may be limited, he said.
Implantable drug delivery systems are designed to release drugs over extended periods. These are well suited for oncology, hormone therapy, and neurological disorders. The ability to maintain steady plasma drug concentrations without repeated dosing not only improves therapeutic efficacy and improves patient quality of life. Some advanced devices now offer programmable or refillable features, allowing for real-time adjustment of drug release as per clinical needs. This also reduces the risk of dosing errors, a common challenge in long-term pharmacotherapy, said Patel.
Inhalable biologics represent a rapidly evolving frontier, particularly for therapies that were once restricted to injection or infusion. Delivering monoclonal antibodies and other complex molecules through pulmonary routes allows for faster absorption and reduced systemic side effects. Advances in dry powder inhalers and nebulizer technologies are beginning to make inhalable biologics a viable alternative for systemic and respiratory indications.
NDDS is also influencing adjacent aspects of the pharmaceutical ecosystem. These require specialized excipients, novel formulation strategies, and integrated device development, prompting greater collaboration between pharmaceutical manufacturers, device engineers, and regulatory bodies. Regulatory frameworks are gradually adapting to address the safety, efficacy, and quality considerations unique to combination products and advanced delivery mechanisms.
As the industry adopts data-driven, individualized care models, future delivery systems could include bio-responsive materials, smart wearables, and targeted nano-carriers. These technologies are expected to play a central role not just the delivery of therapy, but its precision, adaptability, and sustainability.
“We see drug delivery is no longer a secondary consideration, but a critical determinant of therapeutic success. For pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and policymakers, investing in delivery science is essential to advancing treatment outcomes,” said Patel.
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TOPICS
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