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REVIEW

Nanogels as next-generation drug delivery systems: Design, advances, and biomedical applications

Bishal Sarkar1* ,  Saumendu Deb Roy1 ,  Dibyendu Shil1
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1 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mata Gujri College of Pharmacy, Kishanganj, Bihar 855107, India
JBM, e99010090 https://doi.org/10.14440/jbm.0239
Submitted: 6 August 2025 | Revised: 1 October 2025 | Accepted: 15 October 2025 | Published: 17 November 2025
© 2025 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
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Abstract

Background: Nanogels are next-generation smart and stimuli-responsive nanocarriers for drug delivery, characterized by high water capacity, excellent biocompatibility, tunable size, and environmental responsiveness. Their nanoscale cross-linked polymer networks enable the delivery and encapsulation of diverse therapeutic agents, such as small molecules, proteins, nucleic acids, and imaging agents. Emerging strategies have facilitated the synthesis of stimuli-responsive nanogels (e.g., redox-, pH-, temperature-, enzyme-responsive), multifunctional hybrid systems, and targeted drug delivery platforms tailored to disease-specific microenvironments. These nanogels have demonstrated promising applications in oncology, infectious diseases, ocular therapy, central nervous system targeting, gene therapy, and vaccine delivery. The integration of machine learning and artificial intelligence has further enabled predictive optimization and formulation. In addition, new approach methodologies, such as organ-on-a-chip and in silico models, provide human-relevant, ethical, and cost-effective approaches for evaluating safety, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic efficacy. Although challenges related to scale-up, reproducibility, and regulatory approval remain, a number of nanogel-based products are advancing toward clinical application. Objective: This review explores the composition, functionalization, biomedical applications, and future prospects of nanogels, emphasizing their potential to enable precision medicine and drug discovery. Conclusion: Nanogels are promising platforms for precision and personalized medicine, offering routes for controlled, targeted, and intelligent drug delivery that can revolutionize future therapeutic strategies.

Keywords
Nanogels
Drug delivery systems
Stimuli-responsive polymers
New approach methodologies
Precision medicine
Funding
None.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
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