Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology (Mar 2020)

How the Lack of Chitosan Characterization Precludes Implementation of the Safe-by-Design Concept

  • Cíntia Marques,
  • Cíntia Marques,
  • Claudia Som,
  • Mélanie Schmutz,
  • Olga Borges,
  • Olga Borges,
  • Gerrit Borchard

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2020.00165
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8

Abstract

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Efficacy and safety of nanomedicines based on polymeric (bio)materials will benefit from a rational implementation of a Safe-by-Design (SbD) approach throughout their development. In order to achieve this goal, however, a standardization of preparation and characterization methods and their accurate reporting is needed. Focusing on the example of chitosan, a biopolymer derived from chitin and frequently used in drug and vaccine delivery vector preparation, this review discusses the challenges still to be met and overcome prior to a successful implementation of the SbD approach to the preparation of chitosan-based protein drug delivery systems.

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