This book provides a concise and up-to-date overview of the biological features justifying the use of different human mucosa as delivery routes for biopharmaceuticals as well as the technological strategies that have been followed so far regarding the optimization of mucosal potentialities. The book also addresses the challenges that arise with the advent of new biopharmaceutical drugs and alternative means of administration. After a brief introduction, the first section addresses general aspects of the biology of mucosal tissues and their unique aspects towards beneficial or deleterious interactions with biopharmaceuticals and delivery systems. The second part is dedicated to the different delivery strategies that have recently been investigated for different mucosal sites. The third section describes the development and clinical applications, either factual or potential, of particular pharmaceutical delivery systems and products enclosing biopharmaceuticals for mucosal delivery. Special focus is set on the most successful case studies of recent years by field experts or those engaged in developing such solutions in a concise and practical way. The last section briefly centers on pertinent aspects about the regulatory, toxicological and market issues of mucosal delivery of biopharmaceuticals

Concepts in Mucosal Immunity and Mucosal Vaccines -- Mucoadhesion and Characterization of Mucoadhesive Properties -- Mucus as a Barrier for Biopharmaceuticals and Drug Delivery Systems -- Epithelial Permeation and Absorption Mechanisms of Biopharmaceuticals -- Oral Delivery of Biopharmaceuticals -- Buccal Delivery of Biopharmaceuticals: Vaccines and Allergens -- Pulmonary Delivery of Biopharmaceuticals -- Nasal Delivery of Biopharmaceuticals -- Ocular Delivery of Biopharmaceuticals -- Vaginal Delivery of Biopharmaceuticals -- Nanoparticles-in-Microsphere Oral Delivery Systems (NiMOS) for Nucleic Acid Therapy in the Gastrointestinal Tract -- Bacteria-Based Vectors for Oral Gene Therapy -- Self-Assembled Polysaccharide Nanogels for Nasal Delivery of Biopharmaceuticals -- Pheroid Vesicles and Microsponges for Nasal Delivery of Biopharmaceuticals -- Delivery Strategies for Developing siRNA-Based Vaginal Microbicides -- Delivery Strategies for Developing Vaginal DNA Vaccine Combining Cell-Penetrating Peptides and Jet Injection -- Vaccine Delivery Systems for Veterinary Immunization -- Eligen® Technology for Oral Delivery of Proteins and Peptides -- The RapidMist System for Buccal Delivery of Insulin -- The Pharmaceutical Development of rhDNase (Dornase Alpha) for the Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis -- Development of the Exubera® Insulin Pulmonary Delivery System -- Technosphere®: An Inhalation System for Pulmonary Delivery of Biopharmaceuticals -- ChiSys® as a Chitosan-Based Delivery Platform for Nasal Vaccination -- Development of a Cationic Nanoemulsion Platform (Novasorb®) for Ocular Delivery -- Regulatory Aspects and Approval of Biopharmaceuticals for Mucosal Delivery: Quality, Toxicology and Clinical Aspects