One of the primary scientific advantages of oral thin films is their ability to utilize the sublingual and buccal pathways for drug absorption. The tissue under the tongue is highly vascularized, allowing drugs to pass directly into the systemic circulation while bypassing the digestive system and the liver's metabolic enzymes. This "mucosal bypass" can significantly increase the potency of certain drugs, allowing for lower total doses and a reduced risk of gastrointestinal side effects. For drugs that are typically degraded by stomach acid, thin-film technology provides a viable oral alternative to injectable formulations.

According to research in the Oral Thin Film Drugs Market, "mucoadhesion" is a key area of current R&D, focused on creating films that can remain in place for extended periods to deliver a steady stream of medication. This is especially useful for hormone replacement therapies and certain cardiovascular medications where maintaining a constant plasma concentration is vital. As pharmacologists continue to map the "absorption profiles" of various thin-film polymers, the ability to customize the release rate of a drug—from instant to extended—is becoming a major competitive differentiator for pharmaceutical brands.