Nanotechnology provides a wide range of new technologies for developing customized
solutions that optimize the delivery of pharmaceutical products.

To be therapeutically effective, drugs need to be protected during their transit to the
target action site in the body while maintaining their biological and chemicals properties.
Some drugs are highly toxic and can cause harsh side effects and reduced therapeutic
effect if they decompose during their delivery. Depending on where the drugs will be
absorbed (i.e. colon, small intestine, etc), and whether certain natural defense
mechanisms need to be passed through such as the blood-brain barrier, the transit time
and delivery challenges can be greatly different.

Once a drug arrives at its destination, it needs to be released at an appropriate rate for it to
be effective. If the drug is released too rapidly it might not be completely absorbed, or it
might cause gastro-intestinal irritation and other side effects. The drug delivery system
must positively impact the rate of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of
the drug or other substances in the body. In addition, the drug delivery system must
allow the drug to bind to its target receptor and influence that receptor's signalling and
action, as well as other drugs, which might also be active in the body.

Drug delivery systems also have severe restrictions on the materials and production
processes that can be used. The drug delivery material must be compatible and bind
easily with the drug, and be bioresorbable (i.e. degrade into fragments after use which are
either metabolized or eliminated via normal excretory routes). The production process
must respect stringent conditions on processing and chemistry that won't degrade the
drug, and still provide a cost effective product.