Technology Description
· Researchers at Johns Hopkins have developed methods for delivering oral formulations of traditionally parenteral medications (e.g., insulin, infliximab).
· After oral delivery, autonomous microscale injectors are triggered by physiological cues in the intestine to steadily release macromolecular pharmaceuticals through the gut mucosa into the systemic circulation.
· In rat models of insulin delivery, drug levels following this method of enteral administration are comparable to intravenous administration, and significantly higher than traditional enteral administration.
Unmet Need
· Some macromolecular pharmaceuticals (e.g., insulin) are only effective when delivered by parenteral means (e.g., subcutaneously, intravenously).
· However, this route of delivery increases patient discomfort and decreases patient compliance, increasing the risk of complications.
· Therefore, there is a strong need to develop methods that delivery macromolecular pharmaceuticals via alternative routes (e.g., oral) to decrease patient discomfort and complications.
Value Proposition
· Widely applicable: The technology could be applied to many macromolecular pharmaceuticals that have historically low rates of efficacy via oral administration.
· Easily scalable: Fabricated in highly parallel wafer-scale processes, similar to those used in the semiconductor industry.
Stage of Development
· Pre-clinical studies in rodent models demonstrate successful penetration of the gut mucosa and systemic insulin delivery, with minimal tissue damage.
Publication
Arijit Ghosh, Wangqu Liu, Ling Li, Gayatri J. Pahapale, Si Young Choi, Liyi Xu, Qi Huang, Ruili Zhang, Zijian Zhong, Florin M. Selaru, and David H. Gracias Autonomous Untethered Microinjectors for Gastrointestinal Delivery of Insulin. ACS Nano 2022 16 (10), 16211-1622. DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c05098
