Chitosan is a linear polysaccharide commercially produced by the deacetylation of chitin. It is non-toxic, biodegradable, biocompatible, and acts as a bioadhesive with otherwise unstable biomolecules - making it a valuable component in the formulation of biopharmaceutical drugs. Chitosan-Based Systems for Biopharmaceuticals provides an extensive overview of the application of chitosan and its derivatives in the development and optimisation of biopharmaceuticals. The book is divided in four different parts. Part I discusses general aspects of chitosan and its derivatives, with particular emphasis on issues related to the development of biopharmaceutical chitosan-based systems. Part II deals with the use of chitosan and derivatives in the formulation and delivery of biopharmaceuticals, and focuses on the synergistic effects between chitosan and this particular subset of pharmaceuticals. Part III discusses specific applications of chitosan and its derivatives for biopharmaceutical use. Finally, Part IV presents diverse viewpoints on different issues such as regulatory, manufacturing and toxicological requirements of chitosan and its derivatives related to the development of biopharmaceutical products, as well as their patent status, and clinical application and potential. Topics covered include: chemical and technological advances in chitins and chitosans useful for the formulation of biopharmaceuticalsphysical properties of chitosan and derivatives in sol and gel statesabsorption promotion properties of chitosan and derivativesbiocompatibility and biodegradation of chitosan and derivativesbiological and pharmacological activity of chitosan and derivativesbiological, chemical and physical compatibility of chitosan and biopharmaceuticalsapproaches for functional modification or crosslinking of chitosanuse of chitosan and derivatives in conventional biopharmaceutical dosage formsmanufacture techniques of chitosan-based microparticles and nanoparticles for biopharmaceuticalschitosan and derivatives for biopharmaceutical use: mucoadhesive propertieschitosan-based systems for mucosal delivery of biopharmaceuticalschitosan-based delivery systems for mucosal vaccinationchitosan-based nanoparticulates for oral delivery of biopharmaceuticalschitosan-based systems for ocular delivery of biopharmaceuticalschemical modification of chitosan for delivery of DNA and siRNAtarget-specific chitosan-based nanoparticle systems for nucleic acid deliveryfunctional PEGylated chitosan systems for biopharmaceuticalsstimuli-sensitive chitosan-based systems for biopharmaceuticalschitosan copolymers for biopharmaceuticalsapplication of chitosan for anti-cancer biopharmaceutical deliverychitosan-based biopharmaceuticals scaffolds in tissue engineering and regenerative medicinewound healing properties of chitosan and its use in wound dressing biopharmaceuticalstoxicological properties of chitosan and derivatives for biopharmaceutical applicationsregulatory status of chitosan and derivativespatentability and intellectual property issuesquality control and good manufacturing practicepreclinical and clinical use of chitosan and derivatives for biopharmaceuticals Chitosan-Based Systems for Biopharmaceuticals is an important compendium of fundamental concepts, practical tools and applications of chitosan-based biopharmaceuticals for researchers in academia and industry working in drug formulation and delivery, biopharmaceuticals, medicinal chemistry, pharmacy, bioengineering and new materials development.