A “tool box” for rational design of degradable controlled release formulations

Abstract

Controlled release technology could provide a universal solution to the problems of patient compliance and sub-optimal dosing that often plague modern pharmaceuticals. Yet, harnessing this potential requires the ability to design drug delivery formulations which satisfy specific dosing schedules. This review intends to portray how material properties, processing methods and mathematical models can serve as effective tools for rationally tuning the duration and rate of drug release from biodegradable polymer matrices.