title: Industry Update: the latest developments in therapeutic delivery.
abstract: The present Industry Update covers the period 1-28 February 2014, with information sourced from company press releases, regulatory and patent agencies, as well as the scientific literature. February is traditionally the month of annual reports - looking back and looking forward, hence a number of market reports on past, present and future developments in drug delivery were released. An increased trend in deal making for targeted drug delivery, as in 2013, will continue to drive partnerships in 2014. In 2013, the number of drug delivery deals inked in the healthcare industry stood at close to 400 and added up to US$2.3 billion. Closer collaboration or acquisition of drug delivery specialists by 'big pharma' are observed, such as Lupin and Nanomi, Teva and NuPathe, and Novo Nordisk and Zosano Pharma. Alternatively, one can see exclusive intellectual property or distribution rights deals such as MNG Pharma with Samyang Biopharmaceutical or Songry with a USA-based university. A few regulatory delays due to rejection (IntelGenx and Durect) joined the usually reported approvals, and iontophoresis was favorably re-evaluated in a recent US FDA hearing. A number of publications have proven that the sophistication and miniaturization of drug-delivery devices (inner-ear delivery) and particles (triggered supraparamagnetic and 'sticky' particles) is moving further at an ever faster pace.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Science & Research Programs, Philips Healthcare, Clinical Research Board, 3000 Minuteman Road, Andover, MA 01810, USA.
authors.forename: Oliver C
authors.initials: OC
authors.lastname: Steinbach
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000295:instrumentation; D004345:Drug Industry