Abstract

Microfluidic technology, characterized by the precise manipulation of fluids at the sub-millimeter scale, has emerged as a transformative platform in pharmaceutical sciences. By enabling controlled experimentation in miniaturized environments, microfluidics addresses critical limitations of conventional drug development approaches, including poor physiological relevance of in vitro models, high reagent consumption, low throughput, and inadequate predictive capacity for in vivo outcomes. This review aims to provide a comprehensive and scientifically focused appraisal of the current role of microfluidic technologies across the drug development pipeline. We examine key platforms including droplet microfluidics, organ-on-chip (OoC) systems, digital microfluidics, paper-based analytical devices, and microfluidic nanoparticle synthesis systems. Their applications span early-phase drug discovery, high-throughput screening, pharmacokinetic and toxicity evaluation, formulation of lipid nanoparticles and polymeric carriers, and targeted drug delivery research. Organ-on-chip models have demonstrated particular value in recapitulating human tissue physiology and disease states, enabling more translatable drug efficacy and toxicity data than traditional cell culture. Microfluidic synthesis of nanoparticles offers unmatched control over particle size, morphology, and drug encapsulation efficiency. Applications in cancer therapeutics, infectious disease modeling, and personalized medicine further illustrate the breadth of microfluidic utility. Despite challenges in scale-up, material compatibility, and regulatory standardization, the integration of microfluidics with artificial intelligence, automation, and multi-organ platforms holds significant promise for accelerating pharmaceutical innovation and advancing precision medicine.