Regulatory aspects in the pharmaceutical development of nanoparticle drug delivery systems designed to cross the intestinal epithelium and M-cells.

This article reviews the field of oral uptake of nanoparticles across the gastrointestinal epithelium for the period 2006-2016. Analysis is conducted from the viewpoint of i) M-cell genetics and model development, ii) drug targeting to Peyer's patches and M-cells, and iii) physicochemical interactions of nanoparticles in the intestinal milieu. In light of these recent developments, regulatory considerations in the development of orally-absorbable nanoparticle drug products are discussed and focused on Module 3.2.P sub-sections of the Common Technical Document. Particular attention is paid to novel excipients, ligands and the non-standard method of manufacture. The novelty of this drug delivery system demands not only a multi-disciplinary scientific and regulatory approach but also a risk-adjusted consideration for a system defined by both processes and specifications. Given the current state of scientific development in the field it is suggested (in the author's personal opinion) that the design of nanoparticulate drug delivery systems should be kept as simple as possible (from a regulatory and manufacturing perspective) and to target the entire gastrointestinal epithelium.