Focus on therapeutic peptides and their delivery

Peptides are bioactive intermediates between small organic molecules and large biological compounds like antibodies or proteins. These compounds play a unique and valuable role as therapeutic agents, owing to their unique biochemical properties and versatility in treating a wide range of diseases such as metabolic disorders, cancer therapy, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents. The global peptide therapeutics market is projected to exceed USD 50 billion by 2024, reflecting the increasing demand and interest in this field. Therapeutic peptides offer an optimal balance of specificity, safety, and molecular size, providing greater precision in targeting specific receptors with fewer off-target effects and reduced toxicity compared to small-organic drugs. Peptides also exhibit enhanced tissue penetration and present simpler, cheaper manufacturing processes with lower immunogenicity. To date, around 100 peptides have attained clinical approval in major markets, with nearly half of these approvals occurring in the past 20 years. This trend highlights the growing importance and therapeutic potential of peptides in modern medicine, explaining the substantial market associated with these treatments. The review presents a detailed comparison of the major parenteral administration modes for therapeutic peptides, specifically subcutaneous and intravenous routes. We highlight how these methods impact the pharmacokinetic profiles of peptides and influence patient outcomes, providing critical insights into the advantages and limitations of each route. Finally, a significant aspect of this review is its focus on innovative drug delivery systems and formulations designed to address the challenges of peptide delivery, namely stability, bioavailability, and therapeutic efficacy.