GENE, PEPTIDE, PROTEIN, AND VACCINE DELIVERY TECHNOLOGIES: ENGINEERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF BIOTHERAPEUTIC SYSTEMS

Complex diseases have now been revolutionized with the introduction of gene, peptide and protein therapeutics, which have allowed the specific manipulation of cellular pathways at the molecular level. But there are deadly challenges to their delivery such as enzymatic degradation, low plasma half-life, immunogenicity, and lack of membrane permeability. The latest developments in nanotechnology, biomaterials and formulation engineering, have resulted in the development of many carrier systems that can be used to defeat these biological barriers. Here, the chapter addresses the principles, the mode of delivery, and formulation strategies of macromolecular therapeutics and nucleic acid therapeutics, such as mRNA vaccines, viral and non-viral vectors, lipid nanoparticles, polymeric systems, and microneedles. It further talks about the enhancement of stability, controlled release, targeted delivery, and new bio-responsible systems. Stress is laid on the perspectives of translational and regulatory approaches, as well as how these technologies are conceptualizing precision and personalized medicine.