Research on alternatives to the use of animal models and cell cultures has led to the creation of organ-on-a-chip systems, in which organs and their physiological reactions to the presence of external stimuli are simulated. These systems could even replace the use of human beings as subjects for the study of drugs in clinical phases and have an impact on personalized therapies. Organ-on-a-chip technology present higher potential than traditional cell cultures for an appropriate prediction of functional impairments, appearance of adverse effects, the pharmacokinetic and toxicological profile and the efficacy of a drug. This potential is given by the possibility of placing different cell lines in a three-dimensional-arranged polymer piece and simulating and controlling specific conditions. Thus, the normal functioning of an organ, tissue, barrier, or physiological phenomenon can be simulated, as well as the interrelation between different systems. Furthermore, this alternative allows the study of physiological and pathophysiological processes. Its design combines different disciplines such as materials engineering, cell cultures, microfluidics and physiology, among others. This work presents the main considerations of OoC systems, the materials, methods and cell lines used for their design, and the conditions required for their proper functioning. Examples of applications and main challenges for the development of more robust systems are shown. This non-systematic review is intended to be a reference framework that facilitates research focused on the development of new OoC systems, as well as their use as alternatives in pharmacological, pharmacokinetic and toxicological studies.

The Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) significantly impedes drug delivery to the central nervous system. Nanotechnology, especially surface-functionalized lipid nanoparticles, offers innovative approaches to overcome this barrier. However, choosing an effective functionalization strategy is challenging due to the lack of detailed comparative analysis in current literature. Our systematic review examined various functionalization strategies and their impact on BBB permeability from 2041 identified articles, of which 80 were included for data extraction. Peptides were the most common modification (18) followed by mixed strategies (12) proteins (9), antibodies (7), and other strategies (8). Interestingly, 26 studies showed BBB penetration with unmodified or modified nanoparticles using commonly applied strategies such as PEGylation or surfactant addition. Statistical analysis across 42 studies showed correlation between higher in vivo permeation improvements and nanoparticle type, size, and functionalization category. The highest ratios were found for nanostructured lipid carriers or biomimetic systems, in studies with particle sizes under 150 nm, and in those applying mixed functionalization strategies. The interstudy heterogeneity we observed highlights the importance of adopting standardized evaluation protocols to enhance comparability. Our systematic review aims to provide a comparative insight and identify future research directions in the development of more effective lipid nanoparticle systems for drug delivery to the brain to help improve the treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders and brain tumours.

Background and purpose: The delivery of therapeutics to the central nervous system (CNS) remains a major challenge due to the restrictive nature of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a key evolutionary feature that preserves brain homeostasis. This review seeks to synthesize current knowledge on BBB composition, physiology, and transport mechanisms, and critically analyses drug delivery strategies aimed at overcoming this barrier and enabling effective CNS therapies. Approach: We conducted a comprehensive narrative review integrating evidence on BBB anatomy, transport and permeability mechanisms, drug delivery optimization strategies, with a particular focus on nanotechnology-based systems, and preclinical evaluation models. Key results: We highlight how a deeper understanding of BBB architecture and dynamic regulation can inform rational design of targeted strategies. Drug delivery approaches are summarized and compared, with emphasis on the potential of nanotechnology-based platforms to enhance CNS drug delivery. Translational considerations, including scalability, reproducibility, and regulatory requirements, are critically addressed. Major challenges identified include receptor saturation, competition with endogenous ligands, disease-specific variability in BBB permeability, and the limited predictive value of current preclinical models. Emerging tools, such as organ-on-chip (for evaluation) and microfluidic mixing (for manufacturing nanomaterials), offer promising means to improve physiological relevance and accelerate translation. Conclusion: Progress in BBB research has laid the groundwork for innovative therapies, but significant hurdles remain. Advancing CNS drug delivery will require collaborative work refining transport-targeting mechanisms, developing standardized preclinical models, and integrating fundamental research, applied nanomedicine, and regulatory science to open new opportunities for treating neurological and psychiatric disorders and brain tumours.

The pharmaceutical industry’s pursuit of enhanced product quality, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency has catalyzed the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Ongoing Process Verification (OPV) frameworks. This comprehensive review examines the synergistic application of Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) AI systems within OPV, contextualized by the evolving regulatory landscape, particularly the newly introduced Annex 22 of the European Union Good Manufacturing Practices (EU-GMP). The review delineates the sector’s strategic shift from traditional validation models toward dynamic, data-driven approaches that leverage AI for real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and proactive process control. Central to this transformation is the HITL paradigm, which ensures that human expertise remains embedded in critical decision-making loops, thereby safeguarding patient safety, product quality, data integrity, and ethical responsibility. Annex 22 explicitly mandates deterministic behavior, traceability, and explainability for AI models used in GMP-critical applications, excluding adaptive and probabilistic systems from such contexts. The document also reinforces the necessity of multidisciplinary governance, rigorous validation protocols, and risk-based oversight throughout the AI lifecycle. This paper synthesizes current industry practices, regulatory expectations, and technological capabilities, offering a structured framework for compliant AI deployment in OPV. By aligning AI implementation with Annex 22 principles and existing GMP frameworks (e.g., Annex 11 and ICH Q9), the pharmaceutical sector can harness AI’s transformative potential while maintaining robust regulatory compliance. The review concludes with actionable recommendations for integrating HITL AI into OPV strategies, fostering a resilient, transparent, ethical, and future-ready manufacturing ecosystem.

Objective: This study aimed to develop a microstructured lipid carrier that improves the rate of dissolution of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) Albendazole. Methods: A solvent diffusion method was used for the development of microstructured lipid carriers. The developed carriers were characterized by optical microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and dissolution testing. Results: The morphology of the carriers was irregular, and their size tends to decrease with the addition of modifiers. Furthermore, the diffractograms and the thermograms indicated a loss of crystallinity. The thermograms and infrared spectra showed that there are not chemical incompatibilities between the API and the excipients. When the lipid carrier particles were modified with Aerosil® 200 (specifically when using this excipient at a level of 6% w/w), dissolution was increased up to 85.96±1.17 % of the drug content as per USP test for Albendazole tablets in comparison with 36.13±0.52 % for a lipid carrier formulation without modifiers. Conclusion: It was demonstrated that it is possible to develop a modified lipid carrier that improves the dissolution rate of an API with a low solubility, which was related to the amorphization of the API crystalline structure.