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Microdevices that can clip onto intestinal mucosa and release drugs into the body were touted by one university’s researchers last fall. Researchers and biomedical engineers created and tested shape-changing microdevices that they claim can imitate the parasitic hookworm’s attachment to an organism’s intestines.
FREMONT, CA: Over the years, the drug delivery space has seen a lot of creativity, and there are no indications that it will slow down anytime soon. Others have presented enhancements to existing technology such as insulin delivery systems and inhalers, while others have unlocked new methods of delivering drugs through various means.
Some of the industry’s biggest names are among the best innovators. While research continues to discover new ways to deliver therapeutics, some up-and-comers are starting to make waves as well. One should be aware of the following three forms of drug delivery innovations:
Closed-Loop Insulin Delivery
Closed-loop insulin delivery is not a brand-new concept, but it is gaining traction in the diabetes care industry. Closed-loop automated insulin delivery systems can monitor glucose levels and automatically administer or withhold insulin based on the readings. They have also been referred to as the artificial pancreas. Although the technology has been on the market for a few years, there is still room for closed-loop systems to develop in the automated insulin delivery space.
Drug Delivery Patch
With the enFuse, an on-body patch, Allow Injections is developing a subcutaneous drug delivery platform. Outside of the hospital, enFuse allows for patient-administered subcutaneous delivery of high-volume therapeutics. The self-contained drug transfer mechanism on the on-body drug delivery platform is compatible with standard syringes and vial container formats. The platform is built for subcutaneous administration of broad volumes ranging from 5ml to 50ml in a regulated manner. According to the company, the unit will provide patients and caregivers with a new delivery method for subcutaneous, parenteral therapy outside of the doctor’s office.
Microdevices
Microdevices that can clip onto intestinal mucosa and release drugs into the body were touted by one university’s researchers last fall. Researchers and biomedical engineers created and tested shape-changing microdevices that they claim can imitate the parasitic hookworm’s attachment to an organism’s intestines. Each ‘theragripper,’ a dust-spec-sized microdevice made of metal and thin, shape-changing film-coated in heat-sensitive paraffin wax, can hold any drug and release it gradually into the body. In the GI tract, thousands of theragrippers can be deployed.
See also: Top Drug Discovery and Development Solution Companies
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