The Next Frontier

In 1965, British researchers dispersed phospholipids in water and observed spherical structures under an electron microscope, naming them "liposomes" (from "lip," meaning lipid, and "som," meaning body). Since 1971, liposomes have been widely accepted as "biological missiles" and have become a novel drug delivery system. Various technologies have emerged, driving the rapid development of liposome technology. Over the years, more than ten liposome-based products have been commercialized, including doxorubicin, vincristine, daunorubicin, paclitaxel, irinotecan, mifamurtide, cytarabine/daunorubicin, amphotericin B, bupivacaine, and amikacin.