[Skip to Content](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com#main-content) [](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en) Products Cart0 USEN Products [Login / Register](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/oidc-sign-in) [Order Lookup](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/order-lookup) [Quick Order](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/quick-order) Cart0 [Home](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en)[Applications](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/applications)[Materials Science and Engineering](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/applications/materials-science-and-engineering) Drug Delivery # Drug Delivery  Drug delivery is the method or process of administering drugs or pharmaceuticals and other xenobiotics to achieve a therapeutic effect in humans or animals. Various drug delivery technologies are utilized to promote therapeutic effects at the intended site of action while minimizing possible adverse effects, by impacting absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (ADME) of a drug compound. * * * ## Related Products Slide 1 of 6 1 of 2 [ \ Sigma-Aldrich \ 909637 \ NanoFabTx™ PLGA-nano](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/aldrich/909637) Quick View [ \ Sigma-Aldrich \ 911593 \ NanoFabTx™ microfluidic - nano](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/aldrich/911593) Quick View [ \ Sigma-Aldrich \ 911860 \ NanoFabTx™ microfluidic - micro](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/aldrich/911860) Quick View [ \ Sigma-Aldrich \ 911879 \ NanoFabTx™ microfluidic - micro](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/aldrich/911879) Quick View [ \ Sigma-Aldrich \ 81260 \ Poly(ethylene glycol)](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/aldrich/81260) Quick View [ \ Sigma-Aldrich \ 719897 \ Resomer® RG 502 H, Poly(D,L-lactide-*co*-glycolide)](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/aldrich/719897) Quick View * * * ## Featured Categories [](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/products/materials-science/biomedical-materials/drug-delivery-formulation-kits) [Drug Delivery Formulation Kits](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/products/materials-science/biomedical-materials/drug-delivery-formulation-kits) Our NanofabTx™ reagent, microfluidic device, and nano polymer screening kits are optimized for rapid synthesis and control of nanoparticle drug delivery formulations with high cell viability. [Shop Products](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/products/materials-science/biomedical-materials/drug-delivery-formulation-kits) [](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/products/materials-science/biomedical-materials/hydrophilic-polymers) [Hydrophilic Polymers](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/products/materials-science/biomedical-materials/hydrophilic-polymers) We provide a broad portfolio of hydrophilic polymers grouped by their chemical structure for biomedical, catalysis, self-assembly and surface modification applications. [Shop Products](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/products/materials-science/biomedical-materials/hydrophilic-polymers) [](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/products/materials-science/biomedical-materials/hydrophobic-polymers) [Hydrophobic Polymers](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/products/materials-science/biomedical-materials/hydrophobic-polymers) Keep your work flowing with our exceptional portfolio of versatile hydrophobic polymers to support your adhesion, coating, fiber, film, adhesion, engineered plastic and biomedical applications.   [Shop Products](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/products/materials-science/biomedical-materials/hydrophobic-polymers) [](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/products/materials-science/biomedical-materials/polyethylene-glycol) [Polyethylene Glycol (PEGs and PEOs)](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/products/materials-science/biomedical-materials/polyethylene-glycol) We offer poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and PEG solutions of different grades and molecular weights in different pack sizes. [Shop Products](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/products/materials-science/biomedical-materials/polyethylene-glycol) * * * Overview Related Articles & Protocols Support Advances in medicine and biotechnology have led to the development of large number of new drug candidates, many of which fail during pre-clinical evaluation due to limited bioavailability, poor stability and low solubility. Drug delivery systems (DDS) are widely researched and developed to improve the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of therapeutic agents, to enable them to be delivered at the targeted site in the desired dose at the appropriate time and rate. Novel DDS, such as nano- and micro-particles, transdermal patches, inhalers, drug reservoir implants, and antibody-drug conjugates, are developed to meet advanced therapeutic needs including controlled release, targeted delivery, solubility enhancement, on-demand activation, and new administration routes (e.g., transdermal, ocular, nasal). The appropriate selection of DDS depends on the drug properties, desired release rate, desired site of action, and administration route. Advances in nanotechnology have greatly improved drug design, enabling targeted, safe and effective drug formulations with nanoparticles (NP). Nanodrug delivery systems have demonstrated great potential in improving the solubility of hydrophobic drugs, enhancing biodistribution and pharmacokinetics, and providing preferential accumulation at the target site. Nanodelivery systems can be designed to have drugs absorbed or conjugated onto the particle surface, encapsulated in the core, or dissolved within the particle matrix. Drug-loaded nanoparticles can be further targeted to a specific disease site by introducing targeting moieties onto the particle surface. Several nanocarriers such as liposomes, polymer micelles, dendrimers, polymer-drug conjugates, inorganic nanoparticles, and carbon-based nanomaterials have been employed in drug delivery formulation. Liposomes are the most common and well-investigated nanocarriers, while polymer nanoparticles have emerged as one of the most innovative approaches for drug delivery. Both natural and biocompatible synthetic polymers are used to fabricate polymeric drug delivery nanoparticles. Explore our [NanoFabTx™](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/deepweb/assets/sigmaaldrich/marketing/global/documents/277/299/nanofabtx-flyer-2023-ms.pdf) platform for more information. [](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/documents-search) [Looking for More Specific Information?](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/documents-search) Visit our document search for data sheets, certificates and technical documentation. [Find Documents](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/documents-search) ## Related Articles - [Drug Delivery FAQs](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/materials-science-and-engineering/drug-delivery/drug-delivery-questions) Find answers to common questions about drug delivery. Review important points about encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity. - [Designing Temperature and pH Sensitive NIPAM Based Polymers](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/materials-science-and-engineering/drug-delivery/nipam-polymers) Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), or PNIPAM, is a stimuli-responsive polymer that responds to changes in pH and temperature and has a LCST around 32 C. - [RESOMER® Biodegradable Polymers for Medical Device Applications Research](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/materials-science-and-engineering/drug-delivery/resomer) Find use of RESOMER® biodegradable polymers in medical device applications research. - [Dendrons and Hyperbranched Polymers: Multifunctional Tools for Materials Chemistry](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/materials-science-and-engineering/drug-delivery/dendrimers-dendrons) Dendrons in nanomaterials - Find features and benefits of polyester dendrons and hyperbranched polymer products. - [Photo-Crosslinkable Gelatin Hydrogel: Versatile Materials for (High Resolution) Additive Manufacturing](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/materials-science-and-engineering/3d-bioprinting/photo-crosslinkable-gelatin-hydrogel) Discussion of synthetic modifications to gelatin, improving the three-dimensional (3D) print resolution, and resulting material properties. - [See All (66)](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/search/facet-search?focus=sitecontent&term=facet-search) ## Related Protocols - [Avanti Research™ Mini-Extruder Extrusion Technique](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/protocol/materials-science-and-engineering/drug-delivery/avanti-mini-extruder-extrusion-technique) Watch the video for instructions on liposome preparation using the Avanti Research™ Mini-Extruder. - [Oligo Reduction](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/protocol/materials-science-and-engineering/drug-delivery/oligo-reduction) Follow this DDT reduction protocol to reduce disulfide bonds in thiol-modified oligonucleotides. ### Find More Articles and Protocols Enter Keywords Search ## How Can We Help In case of any questions, please submit a [customer support request](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/support/customer-support) or talk to our customer service team: Email [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) or call +1 (800) 244-1173 ## Additional Support - [Chromatogram Search](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/chromatogram-search) Use the Chromatogram Search to identify unknown compounds in your sample. - [Calculators & Apps](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/support/calculators-and-apps) Web Toolbox - science research tools and resources for analytical chemistry, life science, chemical synthesis and materials science. - [Customer Support Request](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/support/customer-support) Customer support including help with orders, products, accounts, and website technical issues. - [FAQ](https://maestro.my.site.com/knowledgeportal/s/) Explore our Frequently Asked Questions for answers to commonly asked questions about our products and services. * * * __Featured Articles__ [High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography: A Fast and Efficient Fingerprint Analysis Method for Medicinal Plants](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/analytical-chemistry/thin-layer-chromatography/high-performance-thin-layer-chromatography) In this article we present several HPTLC applications and analytical standards for ginsenosides. [Determination of Stevioside and Rebaudioside A in Stevia leaves, beverages and food additives using HPTLC-MS](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/analytical-chemistry/thin-layer-chromatography/tlc-ms-determination-of-stevioside-and-rebaudioside) HPTLC-MS was used to analyze stevioside and rebaudioside in artificial sweeteners, stevia plants, cola and isotonic drinks with a minimum of sample preparation. [TLC Plate Selection Guide](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/analytical-chemistry/thin-layer-chromatography/tlc-plate-selection) Thin layer chromatography (TLC), an analytical technique often used to separate and identify compounds present in a given mixture, can also be used to determine the purity of a particular substance within that mixture [TLC Silica Gel 60 G Plates with Gypsum](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/analytical-chemistry/thin-layer-chromatography/tlc-silica-gel-60g-plates-with-gypsum) TLC plates, with silica gel, gypsum as binder, International Pharmacopoeia compliant, for identification of Atenolol and Chlorthalidone in tablets. Top __Sign In To Continue__ To continue reading please sign in or create an account. Sign In__Don't Have An Account?__Register An unknown error has occured. - English - EN - Español - ES [Learn More](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com)