Nanotechnology and Hydrophobic Drug Solubilisation

Hydrophobic drug solubilisation is a major challenge for the pharmaceutical industry. Conventional excipients are outdated and cannot offer long-term solutions for the vast range of drug candidates which are failing at trial due to their poor physicochemical properties. Nanotechnology-based strategies for drug solubilisation offer multiple advantages, such as lower excipient: drug ratios, greater stability, targetability and prolonged circulation times in the blood stream. This chapter discusses the use of these nano-based carriers, why they are needed, their advantages and disadvantages, how they are tested and the progress made, so far, in the clinic.