Oral delivery of proteins and peptides: current advances and future opportunities
Keywords:
Oral delivery of protein, Oral biologic delivery, Protein and peptide therapeutics, gastrointestinal, barriers, Formulation strategies, Permeation enhancersAbstract
Oral delivery of protein and peptide therapeutics represents one of the most challenging yet impactful goals in modern drug delivery. Despite the clinical success of injectable biologics, patient compliance, chronic dosing requirements, and healthcare costs drive the need for oral alternatives. However, enzymatic degradation, poor epithelial permeability, chemical instability, and first-pass metabolism severely limit oral bioavailability. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of biological barriers, formulation strategies, chemical and biological modification approaches, device-assisted technologies, clinical progress, regulatory considerations, and emerging future opportunities for oral protein and peptide delivery.
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