Glycerosomes: Recent Advancements, Therapeutic Applications, and Patents

Abstract

Glycerosomes are innovative vesicular drug delivery systems composed of phospholipids, water, and high concentrations of glycerol (20–50%), which confer exceptional membrane flexibility and deformability. Originally introduced as advancement over classical liposomes and trans-fersomes, glycerosomes have emerged as versatile platforms for transdermal, topical and dermal drug delivery owing to their superior skin permeation capabilities, biocompatibility, and capacity to encapsulate both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs. This review comprehensively summarizes recent advancements in glycerosome research spanning 2018–2025, including innovations in formulation strategies, physicochemical characterization, in vitro and in vivo evaluation, therapeutic applications across dermatology, oncology, and pain management, and the rapidly growing patent landscape. Relevant patents filed and granted internationally are catalogued and analyzed. The review also addresses current challenges, regulatory perspectives, and future directions for glycerosome based drug delivery. Key findings confirm that glycerosomes significantly improve drug permeation flux, reduce systemic side effects, and offer formulation advantages such as stability, scalability, and compatibility with biologics. The cumulative evidence positions glycerosomes as next generation carriers with strong clinical and commercial potential.