The present research work is based on the formulation, optimization and characterization of nanoparticulate drug delivery system. The main rationale of the work is to formulate a targeted drug delivery system with enhanced drug entrapment efficiency. Here the drug of interest is Irinotecan hydrochloride trihydrate, an antineoplastic agent while the polymer used is poly lactide -o - glcolic acid (PLGA), a biodegradable polymer. The analytical method development is carried out using acetonitrile and phosphate buffer saline. The formulation optimization is also carried out optimizing its various process and formulation parameters. Different organic solvents were tried and various surfactants were used to optimize the nanoparticulate formulation. The size range and zeta potential was measured using Malvern zeta sizer. The lyofilization was carried out using two different cryoprotectants
