MIT engineers and researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, working with Novo Nordisk, have developed a new swallowable capsule that can deliver drugs directly into the walls of the gastrointestinal tract, potentially revolutionizing the way some medications are administered, according to MIT News. Jet-propelling squids are an unexpected natural source of inspiration for the design.
The main issue the device aims to address is the difficulty of delivering macromolecules like proteins and RNA orally, as these typically break down before being absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. “This work represents one of the next major advances” in the endeavor to move such drug delivery from injections to oral techniques, Giovanni Traverso, a key player behind the project, told MIT News, highlighting the potential implications. When the drug-filled capsule interacts with the stomach’s acidic environment or humidity, it releases a jet of medication that is directed straight at the gut lining. The capsule uses compressed carbon dioxide or springs to create pressure.
Patients who require medications for genetic abnormalities or insulin, which typically require injection-based delivery, may greatly benefit from this novel technique. Additionally, studies conducted on animal models showed encouraging outcomes, with blood drug levels comparable to those from syringe injections without causing tissue harm.
The research team is hopeful that this capsule will soon be used in human studies. There is a significant chance to increase patient compliance and get rid of the hazards and inconveniences related to needles. “Aside from the elimination of sharps, another potential advantage of high-velocity columnated jets is their robustness to localization issues” The feasibility of the capsule in delivering the majority of the dose from a certain distance or even at slight angles is a feature that conventional small needles lack, which require direct tissue contact for drug administration, according to MIT News, which quotes Graham Arrick SM ’20, one of the paper’s lead authors, who described the capabilities of the new drug delivery method as seen in their experiments.
The study has been praised by independent specialists for its potential significance in the delivery of vital biologics. In an area where previous oral administration methods have failed, Omid Veiseh, a non-affiliated professor of bioengineering at Rice University, emphasized the effectiveness of bioavailability attained by this approach. This capsule has the potential to represent a significant advancement in medication delivery if it is developed further and tested successfully in humans.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
Leave a Reply