Volume 17

July-September 2025

Lipomers as Hybrid Nanocarrier: Innovation in Targeted and Controlled Drug Delivery

Sushant Laxman Pawar, Jameel Ahmed S Mulla

Abstract:
Lipomers or lipid–polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPNs) represent a promising class of nanocarriers aiming to combine the benefits of polymeric and liposome nanoparticles, while avoiding their drawbacks. These composite structures offer excellent drug-loading efficiency, improved biocompatibility and remarkable structural stability stemming from the core-shell lipid encapsulation around a polymeric core. Due to their unique coreshell architecture allowing for targeted, controlled and prolonged release of drugs lipomers can be used as carriers of various types of therapeutic agents such as peptides, vaccines, hydrophilic and hydrophobic pharmaceuticals and nucleic acids. Current formulation strategies, such as solvent evaporation, nanoprecipitation and surface functionalization further improved tissue targeted accumulation, pharmacokinetics performance and encapsulation efficiency. Society Media also facilitate in stimuli-responsive as well as multifunctional design that aid in the space of precision medicine and theranostic applications. Despite great progress, large-scale production, reproducibility and regulation still pose challenges. Further research in the direction of intelligent and personalized lipomer systems, including artificial intelligence and nanorobotics would probably speed up the clinical translation. As a whole, lipomers figure as an unprecedented breakthrough in targeted and controlled drug administration which sets the stage for safer, more efficiently working and patient-customized therapeutics.

Keywords: Lipomer, Lipid-polymer Hybrid Nanoparticles (LPHNPs), Targeted Therapeutic Delivery Systems, Controlled Release Formulations, Stimuli-Responsive Nano-drug Carriers, Nanomedicine, Theranostics of Diseases, Personalized Drug Delivery.

Refernces:
[1] Mukherjee A, Waters AK, Kalyan P, Achrol AS, Kesari S, Yenugonda VM. Lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles as a next generation drug delivery platform: state of the art, emerging technologies, and perspectives. Int J Nanomedicine. 2019;14:1937-1952.

[2] Sivadasan D, Momin M, Shah A. Polymeric Lipid Hybrid Nanoparticles (PLNs) as Emerging Drug Delivery Platform – A Comprehensive Review of Their Properties, Preparation Methods, and Therapeutic Applications. Pharmaceutics. 2021;13(8):1291.

[3] Hadinoto K, Sundaresan A, Cheow WS. Lipid polymer hybrid nanoparticles as a new generation therapeutic delivery platform: a review. Eur J Pharm Biopharm. 2013;85:427 – 43.

[4] NigarMujawar, Jameel Ahmed S. Mulla.Lipid-Polymer Hybrid Nanoparticles in Cancer Therapy: A Promising Nanotechnology-Based Drug Delivery System. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, 2025;17(4):371-387.

[5] Chakorkar SS, Mulla JA. Cubosome-based Corticosteroidal Drug Delivery System for Sustained Ocular Delivery: A Pharmacokinetic Investigation. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research. 2024 May 27;58(2s):s502-14.

[6] Mulla JAS, Mabrouk M, Choonara YE, Kumar P, Chejara DR, du Toit LC, Pillay V. Development of respirable rifampicin-loaded nano-lipomer composites by microemulsion-spray drying for pulmonary delivery. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology 41 (2017): 13-19.

[7] Dnyaneshwari MahadevShingate, Jameel Ahmed S Mulla. Exploring Liposomes: Comprehensive Classification, Preparation Techniques, and Composition Insights. Indian Journal of Novel Drug Delivery. 2024;16(2): 80-90.

[8] Pelaz B, Alexiou C, Alvarez-Puebla RA, Alves F, Andrews AM, Ashraf S, et al. Diverse applications of nanomedicine. ACS Nano. 2017;11(3):2313-81.

[9] Jansch M, Jindal AB, MajeeSharmila B, Samad A, Devarajan PV, Müller RH. Influence of particle shape on plasma protein adsorption and macrophage uptake. Pharmazie. 2013;68(1):27-33.

[10] Gerardos AM, Pispas S. Double Hydrophilic Hyperbranched Copolymer-Based Lipomer Nanoparticles: Copolymer Synthesis and Co-Assembly Studies. Polymers. 2024;16(22):3129.

[11] Das S, Todke PA, Madkaikar M, Devarajan PV. Is receptor mediated active macrophage targeting of amphotericin B nanoformulations a promising approach? RSC Pharm. 2024;5(1):1-13.

[12] Patil SM, Mulla JAS. Cubosomes Uncovered: Insights into Their Types, Preparation Techniques, Evaluation Methods and Emerging Applications. Indian Journal of Novel Drug Delivery. 2024;16(2):104 -112.

[13] Awadeen RH, Boughdady MF, Zaghloul RA, Elsaed WM, Abu Hashim II, Meshali MM. Formulation of lipid polymer hybrid nanoparticles of the phytochemical Fisetin and its in vivo assessment against severe acute pancreatitis. Sci Rep. 2023;13:19110.

[14] Alsaidan OA, Elmowafy M, Shalaby K, Alzarea SI, Massoud D, Kassem AM, Ibrahim MF. Hydrocortisone-loaded lipid–polymer hybrid nanoparticles for controlled topical delivery: formulation design optimization and in vitro and in vivo appraisal. ACS Omega. 2023;8(17):18714–18725.

[15] Jindal AB, Devarajan PV. Asymmetric lipid–polymer particles (LIPOMER) by modified nanoprecipitation: role of non-solvent composition. Int J Pharm. 2015;489(1-2):246-51.

[16] Mirnezami SMS, Heydarinasab A, Akbarzadehkhyavi A, Adrjmand M. Development and Optimization of Lipid-polymer Hybrid Nanoparticles Containing Melphalan Using Central Composite Design and Its Effect on Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines. Iran J Pharm Res. 2021;20(4):213-28.

[17] Gao W, Hu CMJ, Fang RH, Zhang L. Lipid – polymer hybrid nanoparticles for high drug loading and enhanced stability. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2013;5(13):5546 – 50.

[18] Vidya Ashok Kheradkar, Jameel Ahmed S. Mulla. Nanosuspension: A Novel Technology for Drug Delivery. Asian Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2023; 13(2):106-110.

[19] Chejara DR, Mabrouk M, Badhe RV, Mulla JA, Kumar P, Choonara YE, du Toit LC, Pillay V. A bio-injectable algin-aminocaproic acid thixogel with tri-stimuli responsiveness. Carbohydrate polymers. 2016 Jan 1;135:324-33.

[20] Rane KA, Mulla JAS. Hyaluronic Acid-Coated Niosomes: A Promising Drug Delivery System with Potential Applications. Indian Journal of Novel Drug Delivery. 2024;16(1):11-19.

[21] Shewale SS, Mulla JA. Non-Ionic Surfactant Vesicle (Niosome): A Novel Drug Delivery System. Indian Journal of Novel Drug Delivery. 2022;14(3):129-37.

[22] Patil KS, Mulla JAS. A Review on Microemulsion Based Hydrogel for Topical Drug Delivery. World Journal of Molecular Pharmaceutics. 2023; 1(1): 22-33.

[23] Mulla JAS, Karande BS. Microemulsion based hydrogel formulation for topical drug delivery – A concise review. Indian Journal of Novel Drug Delivery. 2021;13(2): 63-69.

[24] Mulla JA, Suresh S, Khazi IA. Formulation, characterization and in vitro evaluation of methotrexate solid lipid nanoparticles. Research J. Pharm. and Tech. 2009;2(4):685-9.

[25] Panchamukhi SI, Mulla JA, Shetty NS, Khazi MI, Khan AY, Kalashetti MB, Khazi IA. Benzothieno [3, 2‐e][1, 2, 4] triazolo [4, 3‐c] pyrimidines: Synthesis, Characterization, Antimicrobial Activity, and Incorporation into Solid Lipid Nanoparticles. Archiv der Pharmazie. 2011;344(6):358-65.

[26] Mulla JAS, Khazi MIA, Khan AY, Gong YD, Khazi IAM. Design, Characterization and In vitro Evaluation of Imidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole Derivative Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles. Drug Invention Today. 2012;4(8): 420-423.

[27] Jain S, Kumar D, Swarnakar NK, Thanki K. Polyelectrolyte stabilized multilayered liposomes for oral delivery of paclitaxel. Biomaterials. 2012;33(26):6758-68.

[28] Lim WM, Rajinikanth PS, Mallikarjun C, Kang YB. Formulation and delivery strategies of lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles for therapeutic applications: a review. Int J Pharm. 2021;601:120559.

[29] Mabrouk M, Chejara DR, Mulla JA, Badhe RV, Choonara YE, Kumar P, Du Toit LC, Pillay V. Design of a novel crosslinked HEC-PAA porous hydrogel composite for dissolution rate and solubility enhancement of efavirenz. International journal of pharmaceutics. 2015 Jul 25;490(1-2):429-37.

[30] Hogale AB, Mulla JAS. Formulation and Characterization of rapidly dissolving buccal films of montelukast sodium. Indian Journal of Novel Drug Delivery. 2021; 13(3): 144-148.

[31] Nikam GG, Mulla JAS. Design, Development and Characterization of Fast Dissolving Oral Film of Clonazepam. Indian Journal of Novel Drug Delivery. 2020Jan-Mar; 12(1): 48-54.

[32] Yang XZ, Dou S, Sun TM, Mao CQ, Wang HX, Wang J. Systemic delivery of siRNA with cationic lipid assisted PEG-PLA nanoparticles for cancer therapy. J Control Release. 2011;156(2):203-11.

[33] Li J, Wang Y, Zhu Y, Oupický D. Recent advances in delivery of therapeutic siRNA by lipid and polymer nanoparticles. Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2021;170:206-26.

[34] Zeng Y, Zhang W, Feng N. Advances in the development of lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles for oral drug delivery. Drug Discov Today. 2020;25(7):1312-20.

[35] Higazy IM. Brain targeting stealth lipomers of combined antiepileptic-anti-inflammatory drugs as alternative therapy for conventional anti-Parkinson’s. Saudi Pharm J. 2019;28(1):33-57.

[36] Fang J, Nakamura H, Maeda H. The EPR effect: unique features of tumor blood vessels for drug delivery, factors involved, and limitations and augmentation of the effect. Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2011;63(3):136-51.

[37] Wang AZ, Langer R, Farokhzad OC. Nanoparticle delivery of cancer drugs. Annu Rev Med. 2012;63:185-98.
[38] Attia MF, Anton N, Wallyn J, Omran Z, Vandamme TF. An overview of active and passive targeting strategies to improve the nanocarrier delivery to specific organs and tissues. Nanomaterials (Basel). 2019;9(6):868.

[39] Jameel S. Mulla, Payal Pujari, Onkar S. Sangar. An Overview of the Transdermal Drug Delivery System. International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts. 2022; 10(5): a497-a507.

[40] Jadhav VU, Jamakandi VG, Mulla JA, Borkar SN, Karpe P, Suresh R, Dama GY, Sanap GS, Chatap VK. Reservoir Type Nicorandil Transdermal Delivery System By Using Permeation Enhancers. Indian Drugs 2009; 46(9): 23-31.

[41] Jamakandi V.G., Mulla J.S., Vinay B.L., Shivakumar H.N. Formulation, characterization and evaluation of matrix type trandermal patches of model antihypertensive drug. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutics 2009;3:59-65.

[42] Gosavi AA, Thorat PA, Mulla JAS. Formulation and Evaluation of Acyclovir Loaded Transferosomal Gel for Transdermal Drug Delivery. J. Drug Delivery Ther. 2024;14(9):122-30.

[43] Sago CD, Lokugamage MP, Islam FZ, Krupczak BR, Sato M, Dahlman JE. Nanoparticles that deliver RNA to bone marrow identified by in vivo directed evolution. J Am Chem Soc. 2018;140(51):17095–17105.

[44] Maiti D, Naseeruddin Inamdar M, Almuqbil M, Suresh S, Mohammed Basheeruddin Asdaq S, Alshehri S, Ali Al Arfaj S, Musharraf Alamri A, Meshary Aldohyan M, TheebAlqahtani M, Mohammed Alosaimi T, Haran Alenazi S, Almadani ME, Ahmed S Mulla J, Imam Rabbani S. Evaluation of solid-lipid nanoparticles formulation of methotrexate for anti-psoriatic activity. Saudi Pharm J. 2023;31(6):834-844. doi: 10.1016/j.jsps.2023.04.007.


[45] Mulla JA. Drug Delivery and Therapeutic Approaches to Prostate Cancer. Indian Journal of Novel Drug Delivery. 2018;10(3):98-109.

[46] Hatit MZC, Lokugamage MP, Dahlman JE. Species-dependent in vivo mRNA delivery and cellular responses to nanoparticles. Nat Nanotechnol. 2022;17(3):310–318.

[47] Anwer MK, Iqbal M, Muharram MM, Mohammad M, Ezzeldin E, Aldawsari MF, Alalaiwe A, Imam F. Development of Lipomer Nanoparticles for the Enhancement of Drug Release, Anti-Microbial Activity and Bioavailability of Delafloxacin. Pharmaceutics. 2020;12(3):252.

[48] Mulla JA, Palkar MB, Maddi VS, Khazi IA. Rational design of antibacterial thienopyrimidines by 2D-QSAR study. J. Drug Delivery Ther. 2012;2(2):55-66.

[49] Mulla JAS, Palkar MB, Maddi VS, Khazi IAM. 2D-QSAR study of thienopyrimidine derivatives: An approach to design effective anti-bacterial agents. International Journal of Drug Design and Discovery. 2012;3:784-797.

[50] Nalawade SN, Mulla JAS, Kapse MV. Formulation and characterization of a topical Murrayakoenigii gel for antibacterial activity. World Journal of Molecular Pharmaceutics. 2023;1(1): 34-40.

[51] Mulla JAS, Khazi MIA, Panchamukhi SI, Gong YD, Khazi IAM. Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of novel thienopyrimidine and triazolothienopyrimidine derivatives. Medicinal Chemistry Research. 2014;23:3235-3243.

[52] Mulla JS, Khan AY, Panchamukhi SI, Khazi MA, Kalashetti MB, Khazi IM. Synthesis and Antitubercular Activity of Mannich bases of imidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazoles. Indian Journal of Novel Drug delivery. 2011;3(4):289-295.

[53] Badiger NP, Mulla JS, Khazi I, Khazi IM. Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of sulfide and sulfone derivatives of 4-(2-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-1, 3-thiazol-2-amine/acetamide. Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal. 2013;46:667-671.

[54] McCright J. Targeting the Gut Mucosal Immune System Using Nanomaterials. Front Immunol. 2021;12:759084.
[55] Fadeel B, Kostarelos K, Eaton MAW. A safe haven for nanomedicines. Nat Nanotechnol. 2018;13(7):627-33.

[56] Das S, Devarajan PV. Enhancing safety and efficacy by altering the toxic aggregated state of Amphotericin B in lipidicnanoformulations. Mol Pharm. 2020;17(6):2186-95.

[57] Mulla JAS, Chalke PM, Londhe SP, Patil MA, Nalawade SN, Sawant RR. Design and Optimization of Nanosponges of Poorly Soluble Voriconazole Using Central Composite Design. Indian Journal of Novel Drug Delivery. 2023;15(4): 189-199.

[58] Shah S, Dhawan V, Holm R, Nagarsenker MS, Perrie Y. Lipid nanocarriers for improving delivery of anticancer drugs. Pharmaceutics. 2020;12(9):935.

[59] Gajra B, Dalwadi C, Patel R. Formulation and optimization of itraconazole polymeric lipid hybrid nanoparticles (Lipomer) using Box Behnken design. DARU J Pharm Sci. 2015;23(3):87.

[60] Tinkle S, McNeil SE, Muhlebach S, Bawa R, Borchard G, Barenholz YC, et al. Nanomedicines: addressing the scientific and regulatory gap. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2014;1313(1):35-56.

[61] Hassan AAA, Ramadan E, Kristó K, Regdon G Jr., Sovány T. Lipid-Polymer Hybrid Nanoparticles as a Smart Drug Delivery System for Peptide/Protein Delivery. Pharmaceutics. 2025;17(6):797.