Tag: Antibody drug conjugates

The concept of targeted drug delivery traces back to Paul Ehrlich's 'magic bullet' idea, a century-old vision of selectively targeting a pathogen without harming the host. Today, the realization of this vision is manifested in two primary targeted drug delivery systems: passive and active targeting. These systems utilize nanoscale carriers to concentrate therapeutic agents at a specific site in the body, optimizing drug effectiveness while drastically reducing side effects on healthy tissue.

More than 21 antibody therapeutics were granted a first approval in at least one country during 2024 [1.2.3]. So, **what is the new monoclonal antibody drug?** These lab-made proteins are revolutionizing treatment for cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases by targeting specific cells [1.8.1, 1.8.4].

By 2013, the global sales of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) already constituted about half of all biopharmaceutical sales, a figure that has only grown. This prevalence raises a critical question for healthcare workers: **Are monoclonal antibodies hazardous drugs** that require special handling?