Navigating the $10B Blue Ocean: How Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems Are Paving the Way to Industrialization
Transdermal drug delivery is the third major route of administration, following oral and injectable routes. Traditional oral administration may irritate the gastrointestinal tract and is subject to hepatic first-pass metabolism, thereby reducing drug efficacy. Injectable administration, as an invasive method, is typically performed in healthcare settings such as hospitals and clinics and relies on professional medical personnel for operation. Moreover, patient compliance and experience with these two routes remain suboptimal. In contrast, transdermal drug delivery enables drugs to be absorbed through the skin at a constant rate directly into the systemic circulation, achieving local or systemic therapeutic effects. This approach offers advantages including non-invasiveness, convenience of administration, and stable plasma drug concentrations.
In recent years, the transdermal drug delivery market has experienced rapid development. Transdermal formulations targeting various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular diseases, central nervous system disorders, anti-inflammatory and analgesic indications, and allergic conditions, have been successively launched and gained market acceptance. For instance, Novartis’s rivastigmine transdermal patch achieved annual sales exceeding $500 million.
According to Research and Markets, the global transdermal drug delivery market is projected to reach a size of USD 10.67 billion in 2026.. Currently, North America is the largest transdermal drug delivery market globally, with international giants such as Novartis and Johnson & Johnson accelerating their deployment in transdermal formulations. Although the Chinese market started later, it is also showing strong momentum for development, with leading enterprises such as Hengrui Medicine, Tide Pharmaceutical, and Kanion Pharmaceutical actively establishing their presence.
Looking back at the historical development of transdermal drug delivery, China has deep roots in this field, having applied topical plasters for therapeutic purposes since ancient times. However, the current domestic market is still dominated by traditional plasters and hydrogel patches, which have low entry barriers and face intense competition. In contrast, the modern transdermal formulation sector remains largely untapped due to high technical thresholds and stringent regulatory approval requirements, leaving significant room for the further development of innovative products.
Driven by clinical needs in China, the large patient population—such as the 330 million individuals with cardiovascular disease in the country—and the substantial demand for long-term medication have provided a favorable clinical foundation for the development of transdermal formulations. Moreover,Domestic policies encourage the research and development of novel formulations, such as transdermal preparations, elevating this initiative to the level of national industrial structural adjustment.Meanwhile, the release of technical guidelines for transdermal drug delivery is promoting standardized product development. Furthermore, as centralized volume-based procurement of pharmaceuticals advances, the challenges in new drug development are increasing, making innovative drug delivery systems a key factor in strengthening the core competitiveness of pharmaceutical companies.
Transdermal drug delivery is a multidisciplinary field intersecting polymer science, chemistry, and biology, characterized by high technical barriers, complex manufacturing processes, substantial upfront investment, and elevated development costs. Meanwhile, it is crucial for enterprises to achieve independent control over raw materials, production equipment, and processing technologies for transdermal formulations, as this directly impacts their long-term stable development; however, domestic companies in China currently rely on imports for both raw materials and equipment.
Furthermore, talent is the core of corporate development. Given the shortage of professionals in the transdermal drug delivery market, companies must also establish a comprehensive talent matrix. Moreover, from the perspective of later-stage commercialization, it is crucial for companies to consider key factors such as clinical needs, regulatory approval challenges, and production costs during the early product design phase, thereby selecting appropriate drugs and disease markets.
To further explore the current development status and future trends of the transdermal drug delivery market, and to help enterprises avoid pitfalls and detours,The Transdermal Technology Innovation Alliance, Chengfeng Jihai, VCBeat, and VB100 will host the “Conference on R&D and Application Innovation Collaboration in Transdermal Technologies” at the Nanjing International Exhibition Center from April 16 to 18. The event will feature in-depth discussions on the latest policies and regulations in the transdermal field, updated pharmacopoeia standards, market opportunities and challenges, R&D case studies, FAQs, improvement of traditional Chinese medicine formulations, and commercialization prospects.。
The conference invited senior industry experts, including the Secretary-General of the Transdermal Technology Innovation Alliance and the President of the Percutaneous Drug Delivery Professional Committee of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies; policy and regulatory experts specializing in transdermal formulations; clinical experts such as the Deputy Director of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College; investor representatives from firms like Tianhui Capital; and representatives from upstream and downstream enterprises in the transdermal drug delivery industry, including pharmaceutical, medical equipment, and formulation companies. This multi-stakeholder gathering, encompassing industry, academia, research, and clinical practice, aimed to discuss frontier developments and key pain points in the field of transdermal drug delivery, thereby promoting efficient translation and standardized development within the industry.
This event adopts a combined “conference + exhibition” format, fostering intellectual exchange among industry participants whileEstablish a platform for communication across the upstream and downstream of the transdermal drug delivery industry chain, facilitating effective collaboration among pharmaceutical companies, transdermal formulation manufacturers, upstream raw material and equipment suppliers, and hospitals.During the same period, the venue will also host the launch and sharing session for the new book *Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems: From Innovation to Production*, as well as a networking dinner for the transdermal industry. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in face-to-face technical exchanges and in-depth discussions with the book’s editorial board members and industry experts.
Interested parties may scan the QR code below to register:
Conference Business Pass / VIP PassLimited-Time Offer
Limited quantity, available on a first-come, first-served basis
April 16 Conference Agenda
13:30-14:00
Transdermal Innovation Alliance Drives the Innovative Development of Transdermal Technologies
Wu Xuetao, Secretary-General, Transdermal Technology Innovation Alliance
14:00-14:10
“Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems: From Innovation to Production” – Speech at the Launch of the New Translated Book
Liang Bingwen, President of the Transdermal Drug Delivery Professional Committee of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies
14:10-14:30
“Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems: From Innovation to Production”: Highlights from the New Translated Book
Pan Xianwei, Lead Translator and Key Promoter of the New Book; Senior Engineer and Director, Jiangsu Kefei Ping Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
14:30-15:30
New Book Editorial Board Exchange Event
Tea Break
15:30-16:00
New Trends in the Development of China's Transdermal Drug Delivery Industry
Liu Zixiu, Secretary-General, Transdermal Drug Delivery Committee of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies
16:00-17:00
Roundtable 1: Design, Development, Manufacturing, and Testing of Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems
Li Feifei, Founder of Beijing Beimei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Wang Yuan, General Manager, Drug Source Medicinal Chemistry (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Wang Zheng, General Manager, Beijing Xinyi Huida Mechanical and Electrical Equipment Co., Ltd.
Zhao Jun, General Manager, Shandong Xinsheng Shidai New Materials Co., Ltd.
Tang Hongmin, General Manager, Beijing Hebang Xingye Scientific Instrument Co., Ltd.
18:00-20:00
CBC Congress Expert Exchange Dinner
Plaque-Awarding Ceremony for Member Units of the Transdermal Technology Innovation Alliance
Should you wish to participate, please contact the Organizing Committee.
April 17 Conference Agenda
09:00-09:30
Analysis of Future Market Opportunities in China's Transdermal Drug Delivery Sector
Zhao Dan, Tianhui Capital, Partner & Managing Director
09:30-10:00
Technical Requirements for Transdermal Preparations and Interpretation of Related Policies
Policy and Regulatory Experts
10:00-10:30
Tea Break
10:30-11:00
Key Considerations and Case Studies in the Development of Transdermal Formulations
Li Feifei, Founder of Beimei Pharmaceutical
11:00-11:30
Factors Affecting the Final Yield of Gel Plasters
Lin Weihua, Manager, Beijing Xinyi Huida Electromechanical Equipment Co., Ltd.
11:30-12:00
Demonstration and Exchange Event on Pilot-Scale and Commercial Production of Transdermal Patches
12:00-13:00
Lunch Time
13:00-13:30
Regulatory Requirements and Design Considerations for Clinical Trials of Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems
Liu Yali, Deputy Director of the Institution and Director of the Phase I Clinical Trial Ward, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College
13:30-14:00
A Novel Technology for Stable and Precise Sampling of Target Tissue Probes: Microperfusion
Li Tianyu, Marketing Manager, Beijing Hebang Xingye Scientific Instrument Co., Ltd.
14:00-15:00
Practical Demonstration and Exchange Event on In Vitro Permeation Testing (IVPT) of Transdermal Preparations
Tea Break
15:00-15:30
Opportunities and Challenges for Transdermal Patches in China from a Marketing Perspective
Zou Chunfu, Chairman of Hunan Renyikang Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd.
15:30-16:00
Roundtable 2: Discussion on Current Clinical Protocols, Clinical Strategies, and the Application of New Technologies
Li Feifei, Founder of Beijing Beimei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Tang Hongmin, General Manager, Beijing Hebang Xingye Scientific Instrument Co., Ltd.
Liu Yali, Deputy Director of the Institution and Director of the Phase I Clinical Trial Ward, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College
April 18 Conference Agenda
09:00-09:30
Rheological Characterization of Transdermal Preparations
Li Changyun, General Manager, Shanghai Hengze Technology Co., Ltd.
09:30-10:00
Development and Quality Research of Semi-Solid Topical Preparations
Wang Yuan, General Manager, DrugSource Medicinal Chemistry (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
10:00-10:30
Tea Break
10:30-11:00
Positioning for the Future of Transdermal Technology: The Low-Hanging Fruit of Microneedle Delivery Applications
Lu Di, Dean of the Research Institute, Zhongke Microneedle (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd.
11:00-12:00
Roundtable 3: R&D Challenges of Topical Patches
Li Feifei, Founder of Beimei Pharmaceutical
Luo Lin, Head of the Transdermal Drug Delivery Platform at Hengrui Medicine
Li Changyun, General Manager, Shanghai Hengze Technology Co., Ltd.
Lu Di, Dean of the Research Institute, Zhongke Microneedle (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd.
Lin Weihua, Manager, Beijing Xinyi Huida Electromechanical Equipment Co., Ltd.