Application of drug delivery technologies in lead candidate selection and optimization.

Formulation development during early drug discovery and lead optimization, involves several challenges including limited drug supply, the need for rapid turnaround, and limited development time. It is also desirable to develop initial formulations that will be representative of final commercial formulations. Nanoparticles offer a unique platform for the formulation of poorly soluble drugs - such formulations can be injected (intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular), as well as administered through other routes, such as oral, ocular and inhalation. Thus, a single formulation can be used to test and eventually develop multiple dosage forms. Furthermore, nanoparticles offer the opportunity for high drug loading, for low potency compounds, and thus support toxicological evaluation of such compounds.