Abstract
Long-acting injectables have been used to benefit patients with chronic diseases. So far, several biodegradable long-acting platform technologies including drug-loaded polymeric microparticles, implants (preformed and in situ forming), oil-based solutions, and aqueous suspension have been established. In this chapter, we summarize all the marketed technology platforms and discuss their challenges regarding development including but not limited to controlling drug release, particle size, stability, sterilization, scale-up manufacturing, etc. Finally, we discuss important criteria to consider for the successful development of long-acting injectables.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Abbreviations
- DCM:
-
Dichloromethane
- DLS:
-
Dynamic light scattering
- EE:
-
Encapsulation efficiency
- GDO:
-
Glycerol dioleate
- IR:
-
Immediate release
- ISFI:
-
In situ forming implants
- kGy:
-
Kilogray
- LA:
-
Long acting
- LAI:
-
Long-acting injectables
- MPs:
-
Microparticles
- Mw:
-
Molecular weight
- NMP:
-
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone
- PCPP-SA:
-
Poly[1,3-bis(carboxyphenoxy) propane-co-sebacic-acid]
- PLGA:
-
Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)
- POE:
-
Poly(orthoester) polymers
- PVA:
-
Polyvinyl alcohol
- S/O/W:
-
Solid-in-oil-in-water
- SE/PS:
-
Solvent extraction/phase separation
- USP:
-
United state pharmacopeia
- W1/O/W2:
-
Water-in-oil-in-water
References
Agarwal P, Rupenthal ID (2013) Injectable implants for the sustained release of protein and peptide drugs. Drug Discov Today 18:337–349. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.DRUDIS.2013.01.013
Arrighi A, Marquette S, Peerboom C et al (2019) Development of PLGA microparticles with high immunoglobulin G-loaded levels and sustained-release properties obtained by spray-drying a water-in-oil emulsion. Int J Pharm 566:291–298. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJPHARM.2019.05.070
Bassand C, Villois A, Gianola L et al (2022) Smart design of patient-centric long-acting products: from preclinical to marketed pipeline trends and opportunities. Expert Opin Drug Deliv. https://doi.org/10.1080/17425247.2022.2106213/SUPPL_FILE/IEDD_A_2106213_SM6391.XLSX
Bhattachar SN, Morrison JS, Mudra DR, Bender Editors DM (2017) Translating molecules into medicines. Springer
Bittner B, Mäder K, Kroll C et al (1999) Tetracycline-HCl-loaded poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres prepared by a spray drying technique: influence of γ-irradiation on radical formation and polymer degradation. J Control Release 59:23–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-3659(98)00170-9
Bode C, Kranz H, Kruszka A et al (2019a) In-situ forming PLGA implants: how additives affect swelling and drug release. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 53:101180. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JDDST.2019.101180
Bode C, Kranz H, Siepmann F, Siepmann J (2019b) Coloring of PLGA implants to better understand the underlying drug release mechanisms. Int J Pharm 569:118563. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJPHARM.2019.118563
Bushell JA, Claybourn M, Williams HE, Murphy DM (2005) An EPR and ENDOR study of γ- and β-radiation sterilization in poly (lactide-co-glycolide) polymers and microspheres. J Control Release 110:49–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCONREL.2005.09.009
Chitnis GD, Verma MKS, Lamazouade J et al (2019) A resistance-sensing mechanical injector for the precise delivery of liquids to target tissue. Nat Biomed Eng 3(8):621–631. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41551-019-0350-2
Darville N, Van Heerden M, Vynckier A et al (2014) Intramuscular administration of paliperidone palmitate extended-release injectable microsuspension induces a subclinical inflammatory reaction modulating the pharmacokinetics in rats. J Pharm Sci 103:2072–2087. https://doi.org/10.1002/JPS.24014
Darville N, Van Heerden M, Erkens T et al (2016) Modeling the time course of the tissue responses to intramuscular long-acting paliperidone palmitate nano−/microcrystals and polystyrene microspheres in the rat. Toxicol Pathol 44:189–210. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192623315618291/ASSET/IMAGES/LARGE/10.1177_0192623315618291-FIG2.JPEG
Domb AJ, Rock M, Perkin C et al (1995) Excretion of a radiolabelled anticancer biodegradable polymeric implant from the rabbit brain. Biomaterials 16:1069–1072. https://doi.org/10.1016/0142-9612(95)98902-Q
Fredenberg S, Wahlgren M, Reslow M, Axelsson A (2011) The mechanisms of drug release in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-based drug delivery systems – a review. Int J Pharm 415:34–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJPHARM.2011.05.049
Heller J, Barr J, Ng SY et al (2002) Poly(ortho esters): synthesis, characterization, properties and uses. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 54:1015–1039. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-409X(02)00055-8
Hines M, Lyseng-Williamson KA, Deeks ED (2013) 17 α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (Makena®): a guide to its use in the prevention of preterm birth. Clin Drug Investig 33:223–227. https://doi.org/10.1007/S40261-013-0060-6
Kalicharan RW, Schot P, Vromans H (2016) Fundamental understanding of drug absorption from a parenteral oil depot. Eur J Pharm Sci 83:19–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EJPS.2015.12.011
Kamali H, Karimi M, Abbaspour M et al (2022) Comparison of lipid liquid crystal formulation and vivitrol® for sustained release of naltrexone: in vitro evaluation and pharmacokinetics in rats. Int J Pharm 611:121275. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJPHARM.2021.121275
Kazazi-Hyseni F, Landin M, Lathuile A et al (2014) Computer modeling assisted design of monodisperse PLGA microspheres with controlled porosity affords zero order release of an encapsulated macromolecule for 3 months. Pharm Res 31:2844–2856. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11095-014-1381-8/TABLES/2
Kim Y, Park EJ, Kim TW, Na DH (2021) Recent progress in drug release testing methods of biopolymeric particulate system. Pharmaceutics 13:1313. https://doi.org/10.3390/PHARMACEUTICS13081313
Koh E, Freedman BR, Ramazani F et al (2022) Controlled delivery of corticosteroids using tunable tough adhesives. Adv Healthc Mater:2201000. https://doi.org/10.1002/ADHM.202201000
Kotla NG, Pandey A, Kumar YV et al (2022) Polyester-based long acting injectables: advancements in molecular dynamics simulation and technological insights. Drug Discov Today:103463. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.DRUDIS.2022.103463
Kraus VB, Conaghan PG, Aazami HA et al (2018) Synovial and systemic pharmacokinetics (PK) of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) following intra-articular (IA) injection of an extended-release microsphere-based formulation (FX006) or standard crystalline suspension in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Osteoarthr Cartil 26:34–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JOCA.2017.10.003
Li Z, Mu H, Weng Larsen S et al (2021) An in vitro gel-based system for characterizing and predicting the long-term performance of PLGA in situ forming implants. Int J Pharm 609:121183. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJPHARM.2021.121183
Li M, Reichert P, Narasimhan C et al (2022) Investigating crystalline protein suspension formulations of pembrolizumab from MAS NMR spectroscopy. Mol Pharm 19:936–952. https://doi.org/10.1021/ACS.MOLPHARMACEUT.1C00915/ASSET/IMAGES/LARGE/MP1C00915_0008.JPEG
Loh ZH, Samanta AK, Sia Heng PW (2015) Overview of milling techniques for improving the solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs. Asian J Pharm Sci 10:255–274. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.AJPS.2014.12.006
Makadia HK, Siegel SJ (2011) Poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) as biodegradable controlled drug delivery carrier. Polymers (Basel) 3:1377. https://doi.org/10.3390/POLYM3031377
Manna S, Donnell AM, Faraj RQC et al (2021) Pharmacokinetics and toxicity evaluation of a PLGA and chitosan-based micro-implant for sustained release of methotrexate in rabbit vitreous. Pharmaceutics 13:1227. https://doi.org/10.3390/PHARMACEUTICS13081227
Mansoor S, Kuppermann BD, Kenney MC (2009) Intraocular sustained-release delivery systems for triamcinolone acetonide. Pharm Res 26:770–784. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11095-008-9812-Z/FIGURES/5
McGirt MJ, Than KD, Weingart JD et al (2009) Gliadel (BCNU) wafer plus concomitant temozolomide therapy after primary resection of glioblastoma multiforme. J Neurosurg 110:583–588. https://doi.org/10.3171/2008.5.17557
Möschwitzer J, Müller RH (2006) New method for the effective production of ultrafine drug nanocrystals. J Nanosci Nanotechnol 6:3145–3153. https://doi.org/10.1166/JNN.2006.480
Mulay SR, Steiger S, Shi C, Anders HJ (2020) A guide to crystal-related and nano- or microparticle-related tissue responses. FEBS J 287:818–832. https://doi.org/10.1111/FEBS.15174
Nguyen VTT, Darville N, Vermeulen A (2022) Pharmacokinetics of long-acting aqueous nano-/microsuspensions after intramuscular administration in different animal species and humans – a review. AAPS J 25:4. https://doi.org/10.1208/S12248-022-00771-5/TABLES/1
Nkanga CI, Fisch A, Rad-Malekshahi M et al (2020) Clinically established biodegradable long acting injectables: an industry perspective. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 167:19–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ADDR.2020.11.008
Orehek J, Teslić D, Likozar B (2021) Continuous crystallization processes in pharmaceutical manufacturing: a review. Org Process Res Dev 25:16–42. https://doi.org/10.1021/ACS.OPRD.0C00398/ASSET/IMAGES/LARGE/OP0C00398_0008.JPEG
Otte A, Damen F, Goergen C, Park K (2021) Coupling the in vivo performance to the in vitro characterization of PLGA microparticles. Int J Pharm 604:120738. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJPHARM.2021.120738
Pandey SP, Shukla T, Dhote VK et al (2019) Use of polymers in controlled release of active agents. Basic Fundamentals Drug Deliv:113–172. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-817909-3.00004-2
Parent M, Nouvel C, Koerber M et al (2013) PLGA in situ implants formed by phase inversion: critical physicochemical parameters to modulate drug release. J Control Release 172:292–304. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCONREL.2013.08.024
Park K, Skidmore S, Hadar J et al (2019) Injectable, long-acting PLGA formulations: analyzing PLGA and understanding microparticle formation. J Control Release 304:125–134. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCONREL.2019.05.003
Peltonen L, Hirvonen J (2010) Pharmaceutical nanocrystals by nanomilling: critical process parameters, particle fracturing and stabilization methods. J Pharm Pharmacol 62:1569–1579. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.2042-7158.2010.01022.X
Probst M, Schmidt M, Tietz K et al (2017) In vitro dissolution testing of parenteral aqueous solutions and oily suspensions of paracetamol and prednisolone. Int J Pharm 532:519–527. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJPHARM.2017.09.052
Ramazani F, Chen W, Van Nostrum CF et al (2015) Formulation and characterization of microspheres loaded with imatinib for sustained delivery. Int J Pharm 482:123–130. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJPHARM.2015.01.043
Ramazani F, Chen W, Van Nostrum CF et al (2016a) Strategies for encapsulation of small hydrophilic and amphiphilic drugs in PLGA microspheres: state-of-the-art and challenges. Int J Pharm 499:358–367. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJPHARM.2016.01.020
Ramazani F, Van Nostrum CF, Storm G et al (2016b) Locoregional cancer therapy using polymer-based drug depots. Drug Discov Today 21:640–647. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.DRUDIS.2016.02.014
Reinhold SE, Desai KGH, Zhang L et al (2012) Self-healing microencapsulation of biomacromolecules without organic solvents. Angew Chem Int Ed 51:10800–10803. https://doi.org/10.1002/ANIE.201206387
Ritchie TJ, Macdonald SJF (2009) The impact of aromatic ring count on compound developability – are too many aromatic rings a liability in drug design? Drug Discov Today 14:1011–1020. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.DRUDIS.2009.07.014
Salem II, Najib NM (2012) Pharmacokinetics of betamethasone after single-dose intramuscular administration of betamethasone phosphate and betamethasone acetate to healthy subjects. Clin Ther 34:214–220. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CLINTHERA.2011.11.022
Samadi N, Abbadessa A, Di Stefano A et al (2013) The effect of lauryl capping group on protein release and degradation of poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) particles. J Control Release 172:436–443. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCONREL.2013.05.034
Sartorius G, Fennell C, Spasevska S et al (2010) Factors influencing time course of pain after depot oil intramuscular injection of testosterone undecanoate. Asian J Androl 12:227. https://doi.org/10.1038/AJA.2010.1
Smith WC, Bae J, Zhang Y et al (2021) Impact of particle flocculation on the dissolution and bioavailability of injectable suspensions. Int J Pharm 604:120767. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJPHARM.2021.120767
Stewart SA, DomÃnguez-Robles J, Donnelly RF, Larrañeta E (2018) Implantable polymeric drug delivery devices: classification, manufacture, materials, and clinical applications. Polymers 10:1379. https://doi.org/10.3390/POLYM10121379
Stokes GG (2009) On the effect of the internal friction of fluids on the motion of pendulums. Math Phys Papers:1–10. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511702266.002
Suh MS, Kastellorizios M, Tipnis N et al (2021) Effect of implant formation on drug release kinetics of in situ forming implants. Int J Pharm 592:120105. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJPHARM.2020.120105
Sun YJ, Lin CH, Wu MR et al (2021) An intravitreal implant injection method for sustained drug delivery into mouse eyes. Cell Rep Methods 1:100125. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CRMETH.2021.100125
Thakur RRS, McMillan HL, Jones DS (2014) Solvent induced phase inversion-based in situ forming controlled release drug delivery implants. J Control Release 176:8–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCONREL.2013.12.020
Vaishya R, Khurana V, Patel S, Mitra AK (2015) Long-term delivery of protein therapeutics. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 12(3):415–440. https://doi.org/10.1517/17425247.2015.961420
Wang J, Heshmati Aghda N, Jiang J et al (2022) 3D bioprinted microparticles: optimizing loading efficiency using advanced DoE technique and machine learning modeling. Int J Pharm 628:122302. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJPHARM.2022.122302
Weng Larsen S, Larsen C (2009) Critical factors influencing the in vivo performance of long-acting lipophilic solutions-impact on in vitro release method design. AAPS J 11:762–770. https://doi.org/10.1208/S12248-009-9153-9/FIGURES/4
Wilkinson J, Ajulo D, Tamburrini V et al (2022) Lipid based intramuscular long-acting injectables: current state of the art. Eur J Pharm Sci 178:106253. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EJPS.2022.106253
Wolinsky JB, Colson YL, Grinstaff MW (2012) Local drug delivery strategies for cancer treatment: gels, nanoparticles, polymeric films, rods, and wafers. J Control Release 159:14–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCONREL.2011.11.031
Ye J, Schoenung JM (2004) Technical cost modeling for the mechanical milling at cryogenic temperature (cryomilling). Adv Eng Mater 6:656–664. https://doi.org/10.1002/ADEM.200400074
Yonet-Tanyeri N, Amer M, Balmert SC et al (2022) Microfluidic systems for manufacturing of microparticle-based drug-delivery systems: design, construction, and operation. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 8:2864–2877. https://doi.org/10.1021/ACSBIOMATERIALS.2C00066/ASSET/IMAGES/LARGE/AB2C00066_0008.JPEG
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Duvnjak, M., Villois, A., Ramazani, F. (2023). Biodegradable Long-Acting Injectables: Platform Technology and Industrial Challenges. In: Schäfer-Korting, M., Schubert, U.S. (eds) Drug Delivery and Targeting. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, vol 284. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/164_2023_651
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/164_2023_651
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-52863-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-52864-4
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)