Ocular drug, gene and cellular delivery systems and advanced therapy medicinal products

Abstract

Due to recent advances in science and technology, when the products used in therapy are examined, ophthalmology has a priority in terms of research and development, preclinical and clinical studies of innovative drugs, medical devices and drug-medical device combination products. Liposomes, micelles, nanoemulsions, nanoparticles with colloidal structures and intraocular implants as sustained-release drug delivery systems have been developed to overcome the barriers to ocular applications, increase absorption, decrease metabolism and elimination and increase the residence time in ocular tissues and compartments. Studies are also ongoing in the area of advanced therapies using gene or cell-based systems which are high-risk products due to their complex structures. In this review, ocular drug, gene and cellular delivery systems and related products and developments in advanced therapy medicinal products are presented in respect to the definition of drug (medicinal product) and current changes in legislation.