Budding Multi-matrix Technology-a Retrospective Approach, Deep Insights, and Future Perspectives

The human race is consistently striving for achieving good health and eliminate disease-causing factors. For the last few decades, scientists have been endeavoring to invent and innovate technologies that can substitute the conventional dosage forms and enable targeted and prolonged drug release at a particular site. The novel multi-matrix technology is a type of matrix formulation where the formulation is embraced to have a matrix system with multiple number of matrices. The MMX technology embraces with a combination of outer hydrophilic layer and amphiphilic/lipophilic core layer, within which drug is encapsulated followed by enteric coating for extended/targeted release at the required site. In comparison to conventional oral drug delivery systems and other drug delivery systems, multi-matrix (MMX) technology formulations afford many advantages. Additionally, it attributes for targeting strategy aimed at the colon and offers modified prolonged drug release. Thus, it has emerged rapidly as a potential alternative option in targeted oral drug delivery. However, the development of this MMX technology formulations is a exigent task and also has its own set of limitations. Due to its promising advantages and colon targeting strategy over the other colon targeted drug delivery systems, premier global companies are exploiting its potential. This article review deep insights into the formulation procedures, drug delivery mechanism, advantages, limitations, safety and efficacy studies of various marketed drug formulations of MMX technology including regulatory perspectives and future perspectives.