Innovative preclinical models for pulmonary drug delivery research.

: Pulmonary drug delivery is a complex field of research combining physics which drive aerosol transport and deposition and biology which underpins efficacy and toxicity of inhaled drugs. A myriad of preclinical methods, ranging from to and , can be implemented.: The present review covers mathematical and computational fluid dynamics modelization of aerosol deposition, cascade impactor technology to estimated drug delivery and deposition, advanced cell culture methods and associated aerosol exposure, lung-on-chip technology, modeling, inhaled drug delivery, lung imaging, and longitudinal pharmacokinetic analysis.: No single preclinical model can be advocated; all methods are fundamentally complementary and should be implemented based on benefits and drawbacks to answer specific scientific questions. The overall best scientific strategy depends, among others, on the product under investigations, inhalation device design, disease of interest, clinical patient population, previous knowledge. Preclinical testing is not to be separated from clinical evaluation, as small proof-of-concept clinical studies or conversely large-scale clinical big data may inform preclinical testing. The extend of expertise required for such translational research is unlikely to be found in one single laboratory calling for the setup of multinational large-scale research consortiums.