How To Increase Success In Topical Drug Development With Automation

The topical drug market is experiencing rapid growth, valued at US $136.5 billion in 2025 and projected to reach US $254.6 billion by 2032. Despite this expansion, developing topical products remains a complex and highly specialized endeavor.

Formulations must be precisely tailored to the unique characteristics of each drug, including solubility, permeability, and stability, to ensure safe and effective delivery to the target site. Developers also face the challenge of overcoming biological barriers such as the skin and mucosal membranes, which are naturally designed to block foreign substances.

In addition to efficacy and safety, topical products must be convenient to use and cosmetically acceptable. Poor application experience or undesirable appearance can negatively impact patient adherence, ultimately limiting therapeutic success.

In this demanding environment, automation offers a powerful solution, helping streamline formulation development, reduce variability, and mitigate the risk of failure. This blog explores how automation can enhance topical drug development — from pre-formulation studies to performance testing — ultimately supporting more efficient, reliable, and patient-friendly therapies.