Research Fellow
+39.089.964026
Academic Curriculum
Marco Iannone graduated, summa cum laude, in Chemical Engineering in 2019 at the University of Salerno with a thesis entitled “Stimuli-sensitive polymeric micelles for targeted delivery system of chemotherapeutic drugs”, carried out at Utrecht University (Holland). In this work he was involved in the production of polymeric nanocarriers (micelles) for chemotherapeutic drugs, starting from the synthesis and characterization of monomers, passing from polymerization reactions, therefore from the study of the fundamental characteristics of the synthesized polymers, up to the production and characterization of nanoparticles and in vitro release tests, all through the use of tools such as H-NMR, DLS, UPLC, DSC, GPC.
From October 2019 until April 2020 he collaborates with the Department of Pharmaceutical sciences through a research grant entitled “Solvent-free, microwave-assisted extraction of drugs from plant matrices – Extraction of CBD from hemp sativa using microwaves “.
From April 2020 to July of the same year he collaborated with the university Spin-Off Eng4Life with which he developed various prototypes of industrial interest. Meanwhile, in May 2020 he collaborated in the publication of an article entitled:
“Engineering approaches for drug delivery systems production and characterization” – International Journal of Pharmaceutics, and, in June of the same year, having passed the qualification exam in December of the previous year, he enrolled in the official register of engineers of the province of Avellino.
In July of 2020 he collaborates with the Department of Pharmaceutical sciences through a scholarship entitled:
“Design and construction of an innovative device for unconventional dissolution in physiological conditions”.
Since October 2020 he holds an annual research grant entitled:
“Industrial transformation of ancient grains for the production of foods with high nutritional and health properties”.
Theses
Master thesis
- Marco Iannone, Stimuli-sensitive micelles for targeted delivery system of chemotherapeutic drugs, Laurea Magistrale in Ingegneria Chimica, student ID: 0622200461, defence date: 25/07/2019, supervisor(s): Prof. Ing. Gaetano Lamberti, Prof. Dr. Ir. Wim E. Hennink, Prof. Dr. Cornelus F. van Nostrum, Dr. PhD Mahsa Bagheri, estratto della tesi, tesi completa
Bachelor thesis
- Marco Iannone, Simulazione in vitro del rilascio e dell’assorbimento di Diclofenac nel tratto gastrointestinal, Laurea in Ingegneria Chimica, student ID: 0612200199, defence date: 21/10/2015, supervisor(s): Prof. Ing. Gaetano Lamberti, assistant supervisor(s): Ing. Sara Cascone, estratto della tesi, tesi completa, Presentazione Youtube
Pubblicazioni
2026
Caccavo, Diego; Iannone, Marco; Russo, Isidoro; Petrucci, Anna Maria; Petrucci, Raffaele; Genovese, Gianluca; Caliendo, Ciro; Lamberti, Gaetano
Evaluation of binder and mixture performance in crumb rubber asphalt modified with Sasobit Journal Article
In: Construction and Building Materials, vol. 516, 2026.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Crumb rubber modified asphalt mixtures, Mechanical performance, Rheological properties, Road pavements, Sasobit, Warm mix asphalt, Wet process
@article{Caccavo2026b,
title = {Evaluation of binder and mixture performance in crumb rubber asphalt modified with Sasobit},
author = {Diego Caccavo and Marco Iannone and Isidoro Russo and Anna Maria Petrucci and Raffaele Petrucci and Gianluca Genovese and Ciro Caliendo and Gaetano Lamberti},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0950061826005751/pdfft?md5=3657b9ccefb964886b1d2ccd6b0c4b99\&pid=1-s2.0-S0950061826005751-main.pdf},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.145674},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-03-21},
urldate = {2026-03-21},
journal = {Construction and Building Materials},
volume = {516},
abstract = {The accumulation of waste tires and their environmental impact is a serious global issue. Incorporating Crumb Rubber (CR) into asphalt mixtures allows this waste to be recycled while improving pavement performance, but it also increases production temperatures, energy use, and emissions. Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) additives can mitigate this drawback, enabling more sustainable mixtures. This study presents laboratory investigation of the rheological properties and mechanical performance of CR\textendashmodified asphalt binder and mixtures obtained by wet process and containing Sasobit as a WMA additive. The bitumen investigation employed penetration, softening point, viscosity, and dynamic shear rheometer tests. Results showed that CR increased binder stiffness, as evidenced by reduced penetration and higher softening point, while Sasobit further contributed to lowering penetration at low temperatures but also reduced viscosity at high temperatures, thus improving workability. The formulation with 15 % CR and 3 % Sasobit (15 %CR\textendash3 %S) emerged as the optimal compromise, achieving a high-temperature Performance Grade (PG 82) without excessive stiffness. The dynamic (complex) modulus and fatigue resistance at different temperatures and load frequencies of the 15 %CR CR\textendash3 %S modified asphalt mixture, intended for use as the wearing course of road pavements, were evaluated through 4-point bending tests. Moreover, dynamic creep tests were conducted to assess its rutting resistance. Compared with the unmodified asphalt mixture, the modified one generally exhibited a higher complex modulus, improved fatigue resistance, and enhanced rutting resistance. These results indicate that combining CR with Sasobit enhances binder rheology and asphalt mixture performance while supporting lower-temperature production, contributing to the development of more sustainable asphalt pavements.},
keywords = {Crumb rubber modified asphalt mixtures, Mechanical performance, Rheological properties, Road pavements, Sasobit, Warm mix asphalt, Wet process},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The accumulation of waste tires and their environmental impact is a serious global issue. Incorporating Crumb Rubber (CR) into asphalt mixtures allows this waste to be recycled while improving pavement performance, but it also increases production temperatures, energy use, and emissions. Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) additives can mitigate this drawback, enabling more sustainable mixtures. This study presents laboratory investigation of the rheological properties and mechanical performance of CR–modified asphalt binder and mixtures obtained by wet process and containing Sasobit as a WMA additive. The bitumen investigation employed penetration, softening point, viscosity, and dynamic shear rheometer tests. Results showed that CR increased binder stiffness, as evidenced by reduced penetration and higher softening point, while Sasobit further contributed to lowering penetration at low temperatures but also reduced viscosity at high temperatures, thus improving workability. The formulation with 15 % CR and 3 % Sasobit (15 %CR–3 %S) emerged as the optimal compromise, achieving a high-temperature Performance Grade (PG 82) without excessive stiffness. The dynamic (complex) modulus and fatigue resistance at different temperatures and load frequencies of the 15 %CR CR–3 %S modified asphalt mixture, intended for use as the wearing course of road pavements, were evaluated through 4-point bending tests. Moreover, dynamic creep tests were conducted to assess its rutting resistance. Compared with the unmodified asphalt mixture, the modified one generally exhibited a higher complex modulus, improved fatigue resistance, and enhanced rutting resistance. These results indicate that combining CR with Sasobit enhances binder rheology and asphalt mixture performance while supporting lower-temperature production, contributing to the development of more sustainable asphalt pavements.
2024
Caccavo, Diego; Iannone, Marco; Barba, Anna Angela; Lamberti, Gaetano
Impact of drug release in USP II and in-vitro stomach on pharmacokinetic: The case study of immediate-release carbamazepine tablets Journal Article
In: Chemical Engineering Science, vol. 267, no. 118371, 2024, ISSN: 92509.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: case study, drug release, in-vitro stomach
@article{Caccavo2024b,
title = {Impact of drug release in USP II and in-vitro stomach on pharmacokinetic: The case study of immediate-release carbamazepine tablets},
author = {Diego Caccavo and Marco Iannone and Anna Angela Barba and Gaetano Lamberti},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85145821046\&doi=10.1016%2fj.ces.2022.118371\&partnerID=40\&md5=d837f63862ad2ca8881845352400e79a},
doi = {10.1016/j.ces.2022.118371},
issn = {92509},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-03-05},
journal = {Chemical Engineering Science},
volume = {267},
number = {118371},
abstract = {The in-vitro reproduction of the real physiological conditions that occur along the gastrointestinal (GI) tract would be the optimum for the dissolution and release testing of pharmaceutical formulations for oral intake. In this study a method for the automated reproduction of the real pH conditions that occurs in the gastric cavity and a device that mimics the same forces exerted by the internal walls of the stomach are presented. Commercial immediate-release carbamazepine tablets were tested in conventional (USP II) and unconventional apparatuses. The gastric pH and the fluid dynamic conditions are factors to be carefully considered since they both affect the drug release profiles. Finally, a PBPK model was used to predict the evolution of plasma drug concentrations knowing the experimental in-vitro GI release behavior. It was found that, for immediate-release carbamazepine tablet, the gastric drug release does not have a major impact on the plasmatic drug concentration.},
keywords = {case study, drug release, in-vitro stomach},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The in-vitro reproduction of the real physiological conditions that occur along the gastrointestinal (GI) tract would be the optimum for the dissolution and release testing of pharmaceutical formulations for oral intake. In this study a method for the automated reproduction of the real pH conditions that occurs in the gastric cavity and a device that mimics the same forces exerted by the internal walls of the stomach are presented. Commercial immediate-release carbamazepine tablets were tested in conventional (USP II) and unconventional apparatuses. The gastric pH and the fluid dynamic conditions are factors to be carefully considered since they both affect the drug release profiles. Finally, a PBPK model was used to predict the evolution of plasma drug concentrations knowing the experimental in-vitro GI release behavior. It was found that, for immediate-release carbamazepine tablet, the gastric drug release does not have a major impact on the plasmatic drug concentration.
2023
Caccavo, Diego; Iannone, Marco; Barba, Anna Angela; Lamberti, Gaetano
Impact of drug release in USP II and in-vitro stomach on pharmacokinetic: The case study of immediate-release carbamazepine tablets Journal Article
In: Chemical Engineering Science, vol. 267, 2023.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Drug Delivery Systems, Mathematical modeling, Pharmacokinetics
@article{Caccavo2023,
title = {Impact of drug release in USP II and in-vitro stomach on pharmacokinetic: The case study of immediate-release carbamazepine tablets},
author = {Diego Caccavo and Marco Iannone and Anna Angela Barba and Gaetano Lamberti},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0009250922009563},
doi = {10.1016/j.ces.2022.118371},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-03-05},
journal = {Chemical Engineering Science},
volume = {267},
abstract = {The in-vitro reproduction of the real physiological conditions that occur along the gastrointestinal (GI) tract would be the optimum for the dissolution and release testing of pharmaceutical formulations for oral intake. In this study a method for the automated reproduction of the real pH conditions that occurs in the gastric cavity and a device that mimics the same forces exerted by the internal walls of the stomach are presented. Commercial immediate-release carbamazepine tablets were tested in conventional (USP II) and unconventional apparatuses. The gastric pH and the fluid dynamic conditions are factors to be carefully considered since they both affect the drug release profiles. Finally, a PBPK model was used to predict the evolution of plasma drug concentrations knowing the experimental in-vitro GI release behavior. It was found that, for immediate-release carbamazepine tablet, the gastric drug release does not have a major impact on the plasmatic drug concentration.},
keywords = {Drug Delivery Systems, Mathematical modeling, Pharmacokinetics},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The in-vitro reproduction of the real physiological conditions that occur along the gastrointestinal (GI) tract would be the optimum for the dissolution and release testing of pharmaceutical formulations for oral intake. In this study a method for the automated reproduction of the real pH conditions that occurs in the gastric cavity and a device that mimics the same forces exerted by the internal walls of the stomach are presented. Commercial immediate-release carbamazepine tablets were tested in conventional (USP II) and unconventional apparatuses. The gastric pH and the fluid dynamic conditions are factors to be carefully considered since they both affect the drug release profiles. Finally, a PBPK model was used to predict the evolution of plasma drug concentrations knowing the experimental in-vitro GI release behavior. It was found that, for immediate-release carbamazepine tablet, the gastric drug release does not have a major impact on the plasmatic drug concentration.
2022
Iannone, Marco; Caccavo, Diego; Barba, Anna Angela; Lamberti, Gaetano
A low-cost push–pull syringe pump for continuous flow applications Journal Article
In: HardwareX, vol. 11, no. e00295, 2022, ISSN: 24680672.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: 3D-printing, Continuous flow, Dual syringe pump, Push–pull
@article{Iannone2022b,
title = {A low-cost push\textendashpull syringe pump for continuous flow applications},
author = {Marco Iannone and Diego Caccavo and Anna Angela Barba and Gaetano Lamberti},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85126485889\&doi=10.1016%2fj.ohx.2022.e00295\&partnerID=40\&md5=dc11ca55d5dc7a36fb1415ec58406b11},
doi = {10.1016/j.ohx.2022.e00295},
issn = {24680672},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-04-11},
journal = {HardwareX},
volume = {11},
number = {e00295},
abstract = {Syringe pumps are very useful tools to ensure a constant and pulsation-free flow rate, however usability is limited to batch processes. This article shows an open-source method for manufacturing a push pull syringe pump, valid for continuous processes, easy to build, low-cost and programmable. The push-pull syringe pump (PPSP) is driven by an Arduino nano ATmega328P which controls a NEMA 17 in microstepping via the A4988 stepper driver. The Push-Pull Syringe Pump setup is configurable by means of a digital encoder and an oled screen programmed using C ++. A PCB was designed and built to facilitate the assembly of the device. The continuous flow is guaranteed by four non-return valves and a dampener, which has been sized and optimized for use on this device. Finally, tests were carried out to evaluate the flow rates and the linearity of the flow. The device is achievable with a cost of less than 100 €. },
keywords = {3D-printing, Continuous flow, Dual syringe pump, Push\textendashpull},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Syringe pumps are very useful tools to ensure a constant and pulsation-free flow rate, however usability is limited to batch processes. This article shows an open-source method for manufacturing a push pull syringe pump, valid for continuous processes, easy to build, low-cost and programmable. The push-pull syringe pump (PPSP) is driven by an Arduino nano ATmega328P which controls a NEMA 17 in microstepping via the A4988 stepper driver. The Push-Pull Syringe Pump setup is configurable by means of a digital encoder and an oled screen programmed using C ++. A PCB was designed and built to facilitate the assembly of the device. The continuous flow is guaranteed by four non-return valves and a dampener, which has been sized and optimized for use on this device. Finally, tests were carried out to evaluate the flow rates and the linearity of the flow. The device is achievable with a cost of less than 100 €.
Iannone, Marco; Caccavo, Diego; Barba, Anna Angela; Lamberti, Gaetano
A low-cost push–pull syringe pump for continuous flow applications Journal Article
In: HardwareX, vol. 11, 2022.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Instrumentation and control, New devices, Prototyping
@article{Iannone2022,
title = {A low-cost push\textendashpull syringe pump for continuous flow applications},
author = {Marco Iannone and Diego Caccavo and Anna Angela Barba and Gaetano Lamberti},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468067222000402},
doi = {10.1016/j.ohx.2022.e00295},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-04-01},
journal = {HardwareX},
volume = {11},
abstract = {Syringe pumps are very useful tools to ensure a constant and pulsation-free flow rate, however usability is limited to batch processes. This article shows an open-source method for manufacturing a push pull syringe pump, valid for continuous processes, easy to build, low-cost and programmable.
The push\textendashpull syringe pump (PPSP) is driven by an Arduino nano ATmega328P which controls a NEMA 17 in microstepping via the A4988 stepper driver. The Push-Pull Syringe Pump setup is configurable by means of a digital encoder and an oled screen programmed using C ++. A PCB was designed and built to facilitate the assembly of the device. The continuous flow is guaranteed by four non-return valves and a dampener, which has been sized and optimized for use on this device. Finally, tests were carried out to evaluate the flow rates and the linearity of the flow. The device is achievable with a cost of less than 100 €.},
keywords = {Instrumentation and control, New devices, Prototyping},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Syringe pumps are very useful tools to ensure a constant and pulsation-free flow rate, however usability is limited to batch processes. This article shows an open-source method for manufacturing a push pull syringe pump, valid for continuous processes, easy to build, low-cost and programmable.
The push–pull syringe pump (PPSP) is driven by an Arduino nano ATmega328P which controls a NEMA 17 in microstepping via the A4988 stepper driver. The Push-Pull Syringe Pump setup is configurable by means of a digital encoder and an oled screen programmed using C ++. A PCB was designed and built to facilitate the assembly of the device. The continuous flow is guaranteed by four non-return valves and a dampener, which has been sized and optimized for use on this device. Finally, tests were carried out to evaluate the flow rates and the linearity of the flow. The device is achievable with a cost of less than 100 €.
The push–pull syringe pump (PPSP) is driven by an Arduino nano ATmega328P which controls a NEMA 17 in microstepping via the A4988 stepper driver. The Push-Pull Syringe Pump setup is configurable by means of a digital encoder and an oled screen programmed using C ++. A PCB was designed and built to facilitate the assembly of the device. The continuous flow is guaranteed by four non-return valves and a dampener, which has been sized and optimized for use on this device. Finally, tests were carried out to evaluate the flow rates and the linearity of the flow. The device is achievable with a cost of less than 100 €.
Martino, Laura De; Caputo, Lucia; Amato, Giuseppe; Iannone, Marco; Barba, Anna Angela; Feo, Vincenzo De
Postharvest Microwave Drying of Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.): The Influence of Treatments on the Quality of Dried Products Journal Article
In: Foods, vol. 11, no. 1029, 2022, ISBN: 23048158.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: drying methods, essential oil, microwave heating, Ocimum basilicum L, process sustainability
@article{Martino}2022,
title = {Postharvest Microwave Drying of Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.): The Influence of Treatments on the Quality of Dried Products},
author = {Laura {De Martino} and Lucia Caputo and Giuseppe Amato and Marco Iannone and Anna Angela Barba and Vincenzo {De Feo}},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85128079847\&doi=10.3390%2ffoods11071029\&origin=inward\&txGid=638d510cd273b4bd45db2f3643c30b49},
doi = {10.3390/foods11071029},
isbn = {23048158},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-04-01},
journal = {Foods},
volume = {11},
number = {1029},
abstract = {Edible herbs are widely used in the human diet due to their pleasant flavors and countless health benefits associated with their components having, mainly, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory therapeutic functions. Since herbs are highly perishable materials because of their high water content, to guarantee products are safe and stable over time, it is necessary that they undergo stabilization operations. The application of microwave-assisted drying, a promising technique in terms of process sustainability, for the stabilization of the aromatic herb, Ocimum basilicum L., was investigated. The activities were carried out by applying different operating conditions in order to evaluate the impact of the time/temperature combination on the final quality of dried basil. The latter was investigated via the chemical characterization of extracted essential oils and tissue damages. Conventional convective processes were also applied to perform comparisons between dried basil products both under production and the quality preservation points of view. Results showed that microwave heating is suitable as a drying method, as expected, due to the well-known interaction between vegetable tissue (rich in water) and the electromagnetic field; and that drying methods have a different influence on the chemical composition of the essential oils extracted from dried products, in terms of the number (ranging from 41 to 18 components in different dried samples) and percentage (until 67% in linalool and 21% in α-trans-bergamotene in different dried samples) of its’ constituents. },
keywords = {drying methods, essential oil, microwave heating, Ocimum basilicum L, process sustainability},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Edible herbs are widely used in the human diet due to their pleasant flavors and countless health benefits associated with their components having, mainly, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory therapeutic functions. Since herbs are highly perishable materials because of their high water content, to guarantee products are safe and stable over time, it is necessary that they undergo stabilization operations. The application of microwave-assisted drying, a promising technique in terms of process sustainability, for the stabilization of the aromatic herb, Ocimum basilicum L., was investigated. The activities were carried out by applying different operating conditions in order to evaluate the impact of the time/temperature combination on the final quality of dried basil. The latter was investigated via the chemical characterization of extracted essential oils and tissue damages. Conventional convective processes were also applied to perform comparisons between dried basil products both under production and the quality preservation points of view. Results showed that microwave heating is suitable as a drying method, as expected, due to the well-known interaction between vegetable tissue (rich in water) and the electromagnetic field; and that drying methods have a different influence on the chemical composition of the essential oils extracted from dried products, in terms of the number (ranging from 41 to 18 components in different dried samples) and percentage (until 67% in linalool and 21% in α-trans-bergamotene in different dried samples) of its’ constituents.
2020
Barba, Anna Angela; Dalmoro, Annalisa; Bochicchio, Sabrina; Simone, Veronica De; Caccavo, Diego; Iannone, Marco; Lamberti, Gaetano
Engineering approaches for drug delivery systems production and characterization Journal Article
In: International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2020.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: drug delivery, Hydrogel, Innovation in Europe, Microvectors, Modeling, Nanovectors
@article{Barba2020,
title = {Engineering approaches for drug delivery systems production and characterization},
author = {Anna Angela Barba and Annalisa Dalmoro and Sabrina Bochicchio and Veronica {De Simone} and Diego Caccavo and Marco Iannone and Gaetano Lamberti},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378517320302519},
doi = {10.1016/j.ijpharm.2020.119267},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-03-31},
urldate = {2020-03-31},
journal = {International Journal of Pharmaceutics},
abstract = {To find and to test the therapeutic effectiveness (and the limited adverse effects) of a new drug is a long and expensive process. It has been estimated a period of ten years and an expense of the order of one billion USD are required. Meanwhile, even if a promising molecule has been identified, there is the need for operative methods for its delivery. The extreme case is given by gene therapy, in which molecules with tremendous in-vitro efficacy cannot be used in practice because of the lack in useful vector systems to deliver them. Most of the recent efforts in pharmaceutical sciences are focused on the development of novel drug delivery systems (DDSs).
In this review, the work done recently on the development and testing of novel DDSs, with particular emphasis on the results obtained by European research, is summarized. In the first section of the review the DDSs are analyzed accordingly with their scale-size: starting from nano-scale (liposomes, nanoparticles), up to the micro-scale (microparticles), until the macroscopic world is reached (granules, matrix systems). In the following two sections, non-conventional testing methods (mechanical methods and bio-relevant dissolution methods) are presented; at last, the importance of mathematical modeling to describe drug release and related phenomena is reported.},
keywords = {drug delivery, Hydrogel, Innovation in Europe, Microvectors, Modeling, Nanovectors},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
To find and to test the therapeutic effectiveness (and the limited adverse effects) of a new drug is a long and expensive process. It has been estimated a period of ten years and an expense of the order of one billion USD are required. Meanwhile, even if a promising molecule has been identified, there is the need for operative methods for its delivery. The extreme case is given by gene therapy, in which molecules with tremendous in-vitro efficacy cannot be used in practice because of the lack in useful vector systems to deliver them. Most of the recent efforts in pharmaceutical sciences are focused on the development of novel drug delivery systems (DDSs).
In this review, the work done recently on the development and testing of novel DDSs, with particular emphasis on the results obtained by European research, is summarized. In the first section of the review the DDSs are analyzed accordingly with their scale-size: starting from nano-scale (liposomes, nanoparticles), up to the micro-scale (microparticles), until the macroscopic world is reached (granules, matrix systems). In the following two sections, non-conventional testing methods (mechanical methods and bio-relevant dissolution methods) are presented; at last, the importance of mathematical modeling to describe drug release and related phenomena is reported.
In this review, the work done recently on the development and testing of novel DDSs, with particular emphasis on the results obtained by European research, is summarized. In the first section of the review the DDSs are analyzed accordingly with their scale-size: starting from nano-scale (liposomes, nanoparticles), up to the micro-scale (microparticles), until the macroscopic world is reached (granules, matrix systems). In the following two sections, non-conventional testing methods (mechanical methods and bio-relevant dissolution methods) are presented; at last, the importance of mathematical modeling to describe drug release and related phenomena is reported.