Microneedle patches could help the skin absorb medications

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2026-09-10 11:51

International

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International researchers have developed biodegradable particles with microscopic needles that painlessly puncture the skin to help it absorb drugs delivered through patches or creams. Building on prior work with star-shaped particles made of ceramic or metal, investigators developed biodegradable versions to address environmental and safety concerns. When the investigators evaluated their technology for the delivery of 3 different drugs - tacrolimus, methotrexate, and copper tripeptide-1 - in pig skin, they found that it increased the ability of drugs to be absorbed into the skin up to 37-fold.

News release

From: Wiley

Can biodegradable microneedle-coated particles enhance drug delivery through the skin?

Researchers have developed biodegradable particles with microscopic needles that painlessly puncture the skin to help it absorb drugs delivered through patches or creams. The work is described in Advanced Healthcare Materials.

Building on prior work with star-shaped particles (termed STAR particles) made of ceramic or metal, investigators developed biodegradable versions to address environmental and safety concerns. When the investigators evaluated their technology for the delivery of 3 different drugs—tacrolimus, methotrexate, and copper tripeptide-1—in pig skin, they found that it increased intradermal drug delivery up to 37-fold.

“This work enhances our STAR particle technology for dermatological and cosmetic applications that we are advancing into clinical trials,” said corresponding author Mark R. Prausnitz, PhD, of the Georgia Institute of Technology.

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Journal/
conference: Advanced Healthcare Materials

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Georgia Institute of Technology, USA

Funder: This work was supported financially by the Georgia Research Alliance. Conflicts of Interest M.R.P. is an inventor of patents, a paid advisor to companies, and a founder/shareholder of companies developing STAR particle technolo- gies products, including Aldena Therapeutics, Alys Pharmaceuticals, Microstar Biotech, and Vimela Therapeutics. This potential conflicts of interest is managed by Georgia Institute of Technology.

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