Long-acting therapeutics: development strategies and clinical significance

Abstract

High dosing frequency poses a considerable challenge in treating chronic conditions. This often results in missed doses, ultimately leading to therapy failure. Formulations capable of maintaining a prolonged plasma drug concentration, preferably spanning weeks to months or even years, are highly desirable. Long-acting therapeutics have emerged as a significant improvement in the treatment of chronic diseases. Recently, long-acting formulations have demonstrated substantial potential in preventing and treating chronic infections such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Long-acting antiretroviral formulations have received approval from the USFDA for both preexposure prophylaxis and the treatment of HIV/AIDS. Moreover, ongoing extensive research is exploring the potential of long-acting formulations for treating tuberculosis and malaria, promising the eventual availability of LATs for these diseases in the market.