COVID-19: Current Developments and Further Opportunities in Drug Delivery and Therapeutics

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 has affected people from all age groups, races and ethnicities. Given that many infected individuals are asymptomatic, they transmit the disease to others unknowingly, which has resulted in the spread of infection at an alarming rate. This review aims to provide an overview of the pathophysiology, preventive measures to reduce the disease spread, therapies currently in use, an update on vaccine development and opportunities for vaccine delivery. The World Health Organization has advised several precautions including social distancing, hand washing and the use of PPE including gloves and face masks for minimizing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection. At present, several antiviral therapies previously approved for other infections are being repositioned to study their efficacy against SARS-CoV-2. In addition, some medicines (i.e., remdesivir, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine) have received emergency use authorisation from the FDA. Plasma therapy has also been authorised for emergency use for the treatment of COVID-19 on a smaller scale. However, no vaccine has been approved so far against this virus. Nevertheless, several potential vaccine targets have been reported, and development of different types of vaccines including DNA, mRNA, viral vector, inactivated, subunit and vaccine-like particles is in process. It is concluded that a suitable candidate delivered through an advanced drug delivery approach would effectively boost the immune system against this coronavirus.

Recent updates in COVID-19 with emphasis on inhalation therapeutics: Nanostructured and targeting systems

“…mRNA is loaded in positively-charged lipids, which renders it responsive to RNase-mediated degradation and forms various sized particles. When the liposomes are within the cell, they induce a molecular trigger to turn on an innate immune response [ 126 , 127 ]. Many examples of the vaccines are currently being developed for SARS-CoV-2, which are under further clinical trials, can be found in the following literature [ 127 ].…”

“…When the liposomes are within the cell, they induce a molecular trigger to turn on an innate immune response [ 126 , 127 ]. Many examples of the vaccines are currently being developed for SARS-CoV-2, which are under further clinical trials, can be found in the following literature [ 127 ]. BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 would not be the first nano-formulations approved for human use.…”

Social and Psychological Implication of New Normal Adaptation

“…The learning scenario is not only limited to a certain age but also for all school ages because COVID 19 attacks all ages [15] so that all ages of all households fight and defend themselves to take care of their respective health to avoid getting affected. In the United States there is already a vaccine test [16] and adding to research research in the health sector and is always being tested in Korea [17] to the wider community, but requires psychological attitudes and readiness for new norml life changes.…”

Microarray patches enable the development of skin-targeted vaccines against COVID-19

“…Efficacious and widespread immunization requires safe, reproducible, versatile, patient-friendly, cost-effective, and broadly deployable vaccine delivery strategies. However, the vast majority of vaccines, including the most advanced COVID-19 vaccine candidates, are currently delivered via traditional parenteral routes (e.g., subcutaneous (SC) or intramuscular (IM)) through hypodermic needle injection [ 31 ]. These methods have established limitations.…”