nanomedicine

[Guest guest]

(NOTE: last week posted something about nanotech - for those

following that, this is interesting ~ G)

Nanotechnology-based applications are accelerating the development of

nanomedicine

News-Medical in Medical Research News Monday, 5-Jul-2004

With the potential for targeted therapy, and therefore reduced side

effects, nanomedicine holds the promise of significantly improving

quality of life parameters. At the same time, the adoption of

nanotechnology-based applications by large therapeutic and diagnostic

companies is accelerating the development of nanomedicine. The prospect

of site-specific therapeutic action and by extension of fewer side

effects means that nanomedical applications have an enhanced

risk-benefit analysis ratio. This is motivating their growing

popularity as a therapeutic option.

" Furthermore, with techniques for early diagnosis of diseases and, in

some cases, their disposition, prophylactic (preventive) intervention

could well become a reality with the advent of nanomedicine, " notes

Rajaram Sankaran, Analyst from Frost & Sullivan. " With such prophylactic

interventions, it might be possible to postpone or even completely avoid

diseases, in some instances. "

Key to nanomedicine's rapid evolution has been the embrace of

nanotechnology-based applications by pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals

and drug delivery companies. Prominent instances include the use of Elan

Corporation's NanoCrystal technology by Wyeth and Merck and the

deployment of Quantum Dot Corporation's Qdot® particles by Pfizer,

GSK, Astra Zeneca and Genentech.

Apart from such encouraging trends in the commercial sector, academia

also has been instrumental in promoting the growth of nanomedicine.

Innovation has been the leitmotif even as industry-academia partnerships

have daily expanded the frontiers of nanomedical research.

However, while nanotechnology holds the promise of transforming the

medical field, several challenges still remain. One of the most

immediate issues confronting pure-play nanomedicine companies is the

need to develop expertise across a range of technologies.

Forming synergistic collaborations with drug and medical device

companies represents one of the most obvious routes of achieving such

multi-disciplinary proficiency. Initially, such partnerships could take

the form of joint marketing efforts, paving the way for nanomedical

companies to independently handle all stages from R & D to

commercialisation, in the long run.

Another important concern in the nanomedical arena has been the question

of scalability - the ability to cost-effectively manufacture

three-dimensional nano-structures in large-scale quantities. This

challenge is rooted in the current lack of appropriate manufacturing

standards for nanotechnology materials and components.

" There is a pressing need for standardised manufacturing techniques for

nanotechnology-based components, " cautions Mr. Sankaran. " This is

especially required if nanotechnology-based applications need to

graduate to the big league and become ubiquitous in everyday

applications. While they have the potential, an appropriate set of

standards would help them reach there. "

At the same time, the unique characteristics of nano-scale matter also

demand appropriate quality-control measures. The implementation of

comprehensive manufacturing standards and quality-control measures is

expected to be central to the sustained growth of nanomedicine.

For more information on nanomedicine

http://technicalinsights.frost.com