Nanoparticles: An industry buzzword meets reality

Young startups backed by nanoparticle tech face a world hurdles before reaching the clinic. It’s been decades since the first innovations with nanotechnology – and experts are asking, “Where are all the drugs?”

It’s been more than 20 years since the FDA approved the first nanoparticle drug, Doxil. At the time, nanoparticles were heralded as a way to more efficiently deliver drugs that traditionally come with burdensome side effects, such as chemotherapy.

Since then, scientists have published an array of preclinical studies and academic papers evaluating various types of nanoparticles, including liposomes, antibodies and more. But some experts point out that in many instances, nanoparticle technology stalls before it can even get to the clinic.

“Well, they haven’t really lived up to their promise,” said Keith Horspool, VP of pharmaceutics at Boehringer Ingelheim.

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