Prospects of a Transdermal Dosage Form (Microneedles) and Justification of the Active Substance Selection for Development of a New Medicine

Prospects for the development of a transdermal dosage form (DF) based on microneedles were considered. Methods for obtaining such systems, the application areas, and data from the pharmaceutical market were examined. A wide sample of INNs that are used to reduce pain in osteoarthritis patients was formed based on clinical guidelines. The market capacity, sales by Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC-2) groups, and sales depending on the DF were discussed. Criteria for the choice of active ingredients with market potential were defined. An analysis of a short list revealed that meloxicam has sufficient market potential to create a microneedle DF. A forecast of meloxicam consumption based on time series models indicated stable sales-growth dynamics and a potential market size of 4.6 billion Russian rubles by 2030. Results of the study indicated good market prospects and justification of pharmaceutical development of a new transdermal DF including meloxicam microneedles as the active ingredient.