Challenges & Opportunities in Small Molecules & Biologics for Ophthalmic Drug Delivery
- Both small molecules and biologics face limited bioavailability due to the eye’s natural defenses (e.g., cornea, blood-retinal barrier) and rapid clearance via tear turnover and drainage, necessitating innovative delivery strategies
- Ensuring stability during storage and delivery is critical, biologics risk aggregation and degradation, while small molecules may require solubility enhancement; biologics also raise concerns about immunogenicity
- Frequent dosing and invasive routes (e.g., intravitreal injections) challenge patient adherence. There is a growing need for less invasive, sustained-release or targeted solutions, especially for posterior eye diseases
- Advances like nanoparticles, hydrogels, in situ gels, and iontophoresis offer promising ways to enhance penetration, prolong release, and minimize dosing frequency, particularly for large molecules
- Personalized medicine, bioconjugation, and combination therapies offer new potential to address complex or rare ocular diseases, with regulatory support encouraging innovation and expanded indications