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Drug delivery technology is a broad concept in the fields of life sciences and pharmaceuticals that encompasses all methods, systems, and process technologies used to deliver therapeutic drugs into a patient’s body effectively, safely, and with precise control over the desired time and location.
Microneedles represent a platform technology
I. Microneedles within the Category of Transdermal Delivery
Microneedles are considered an advanced form of transdermal delivery, designed to overcome the barrier function of the stratum corneum.
Characteristics and advantages:
1. Create microchannels in the skin to enhance permeation of drugs.
2. Penetrate only into the depth where no pain receptors are present, enabling painless or minimally painful administration.
3. Enable efficient delivery of a wide range of drugs, including biologics, peptides, vaccines, which conventional transdermal patches cannot deliver.
4. Avoid first-pass metabolism and improve bioavailability.
5. Suitable for self-administration and enhance patient compliance.
II. Microneedles within the Category of Physical Delivery Technologies
Microneedles are also classified as a physical delivery technology because they rely on mechanical penetration of the skin.
Characteristics and advantages:
1. Provide a consistent and controlled penetration depth without requiring external energy (e.g., electricity, ultrasound, laser).
2. Safer and more comfortable compared to other physical enhancement techniques such as electroporation, ultrasound, or laser ablation.
3. Facilitate reproducible drug delivery pathways and suitable for scalable manufacturing.
III. Combined Advantages as a Hybrid of Transdermal and Physical Delivery
Microneedles simultaneously incorporate the strengths of both categories, functioning as a hybrid platform.
Combined advantages:
1. Offer the convenience and non-invasiveness of transdermal systems with the enhanced permeability of physical penetration.
2. Expand applicability to macromolecules and biologics without requiring complex devices.
3. Improve patient experience through painless administration and reduced tissue damage.
4. Support modular and scalable design for various drug formulations (coated, dissolving, hydrogel-forming, etc.).
Microneedles represent a hybrid platform technology that bridges the gap between traditional transdermal systems and physical enhancement methods, providing a highly versatile, safe, and effective drug delivery approach.
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