Impact of Pegylation on Biopharmaceutics: Mechanisms, Applications, and Future Perspectives – A Review Article

PEGylation, the covalent attachment of polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains to therapeutic molecules, has emerged as a widely used strategy to improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of drugs. This modification enhances solubility, stability, bioavailability, and circulation time while reducing immunogenicity and proteolytic degradation. Over the past two decades, PEGylation has been successfully applied to proteins, peptides, enzymes, and small-molecule drugs, leading to the development of several commercially approved formulations. The present review provides an updated overview of the impact of PEGylation on biopharmaceutics, including its mechanisms, formulation approaches, advantages, limitations, regulatory considerations, and emerging trends in drug delivery systems. The article also highlights recent advances in PEGylated therapeutics and future research directions in this evolving field.