PHARMAPROJECTS KEEPS PACE WITH DRUG DELIVERY EXPLOSION

Pharmaprojects, in collaboration with Scrips Target World Drug Delivery News, announces the launch of its new formulation classification system at the IIR 1st Annual European Drug Delivery Partnership.

Pharmaprojects, the worlds leading database tracking pharmaceutical R&D worldwide, in collaboration with Scrips Target World Drug Delivery News, the new monthly newsletter from    PJB Publications, announced the launch of its new formulation classification system at the IIR 1st Annual European Drug Delivery Partnership this week.

The drug delivery sector is playing an increasingly important role in the pharmaceutical industry. Currently valued at US$20 billion and estimated to grow at a rate of 15% per year, it is set to exceed the predicted growth rate of the pharmaceutical industry as a whole by more than 5%.

Data from Pharmaprojects shows that the number of drugs which were relaunched in novel formulations has grown from 231 in 1995 to 456 in 2001, an increase of nearly 100% in six years.

To reflect this development, Pharmaprojects has reclassified its coverage of drug formulations in research and development. Rather than just acknowledging the fact that a development candidate is a formulation of an existing drug, it now classifies these formulations according to the method of delivery.

20 years ago drug delivery was a small outpost of the industry. Now, the need to improve patient compliance and to extend product lifespans is placing it at the very core of pharma R&D," said Ian Lloyd, Managing Editor, Pharmaprojects.

This classification has been created to enable Pharmaprojects clients to identify more easily those drug formulations delivered in a particular way or using a particular technology. This will be useful both for pharmaceutical companies, for whom drug delivery technology is both an important source of line extension of their products and of improving their drugs acceptability to patients, and for drug delivery companies themselves perhaps seeking to license their technology.

New and mature drug delivery technologies are featured, such as PEGylation, liposomes, implants, dry powder inhalers, nanoparticles, controlled-release technology, transdermal patches, orally-disintegrating systems, needle-free systems, enteric coated tablets, and targeted systems.

The IIR conference, held for the first time in Europe, featured technology presentations on the most intriguing emerging drug delivery technologies. For more information visit the IIR website www.iir-conferences.com/drugdelivery.

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About Pharmaprojects
Pharmaprojects, the leading database tracking pharmaceutical development from early preclinical study through to launch or discontinuation, has 22 years experience as an information provider to the industry. Pharmaprojects uses a fully-searchable application that allows you to pinpoint the specific information you are looking for whether it be comprehensive drug profiles, a competitors pipeline or licensing opportunities. Updated monthly, the data is also available weekly via online hosts PJB Publications, Dialog and Datastar, Ovid Technologies and STN International. The Pharmaprojects team is available for comment or to provide presentations on trends in pharmaceutical R&D; for details, please contact Ian Lloyd, Managing Editor.

About Target
Focusing on the international drug delivery industry, Target reports on all major developments including news and analysis of drug delivery technologies and products from R&D to launch; patents; agreements and licensing opportunities; company performance and ranking and much more. For a sample copy of Target or to arrange a 30 day free trial to Target on the Web, contact Emma Grassby on Tel: +44 (0) 20 8332 8934 or Email: emma.grassby@pjb-publications.co.uk

About PJB Publications
PJB Publications, established in 1976, is an independent publishing company of business-to-business information. Specialist areas of knowledge include pharmaceuticals on which it publishes the twice-weekly newsletter Scrip, medical devices and diagnostics, biotechnology, veterinary, crop protection, agribusiness, clinical research and regulatory affairs.