AUTHOR=Marques Cíntia , Som Claudia , Schmutz Mélanie , Borges Olga , Borchard Gerrit 

TITLE=How the Lack of Chitosan Characterization Precludes Implementation of the Safe-by-Design Concept

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

VOLUME=8

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioengineering-and-biotechnology/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2020.00165

DOI=10.3389/fbioe.2020.00165

ISSN=2296-4185

ABSTRACT=<p>Efficacy and safety of nanomedicines based on polymeric (bio)materials will benefit from a rational implementation of a Safe-by-Design (SbD) approach throughout their development. In order to achieve this goal, however, a standardization of preparation and characterization methods and their accurate reporting is needed. Focusing on the example of chitosan, a biopolymer derived from chitin and frequently used in drug and vaccine delivery vector preparation, this review discusses the challenges still to be met and overcome prior to a successful implementation of the SbD approach to the preparation of chitosan-based protein drug delivery systems.</p>