Drug Delivery Systems--Fifth US-Japan Symposium. 12-17 December 1999, Lahaina, Hawaii

The field of drug delivery is moving rapidly from the more efficacious delivery of 'old' drugs, to the delivery of therapeutic peptides, proteins, oligonucleotides and genes. Liposomes, polymers, microbubbles, nanoparticles, wafers and chips are the jargon, and entrepreneurialism is the prevailing force. Indeed, the scientific spirit is overwhelmed by the push to market, as fledgling companies compete or collaborate with the established pharma industry in converting concepts into profits. The 'Holy Grail' is a slice of the multi-billion dollar global market for these specialized, high-tech products.