A groundbreaking new technology allows for the delivery of higher doses of drugs with less pain, revolutionizing the way long-term medications are administered. Tiny crystals injected under the skin can assemble into stable drug depots that release medication gradually over months or years.
MIT engineers have devised a new way to deliver certain drugs in higher doses with less pain by injecting them as a suspension of tiny crystals. Once under the skin, the crystals assemble into a drug ‘depot‘ that could last for months or years, eliminating the need for frequent drug injections.
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The approach uses a solvent called benzyl benzoate, which is biocompatible and has been previously used as an additive to injectable drugs. The team found that the solvent’s poor ability to mix with biological fluids allows the solid drug crystals to self-assemble into a depot under the skin after injection.
The researchers tested their approach by injecting the drug solution subcutaneously in rats and showed that the drug depots could remain stable and release the drug gradually for three months. They also found that the depots could be modified to release the drug at different rates, making them suitable for a range of therapeutic applications.
Drug delivery refers to the methods and systems used to administer medications to patients.
Advances in drug delivery have improved the efficacy and safety of treatments, enabling targeted release of active ingredients.
Techniques include transdermal patches, injectables, oral tablets, and implants.
Nanoparticles and liposomes are also being explored for controlled release and enhanced bioavailability.
This technology has potential applications in delivering long-lasting contraceptives or other drugs that need to be given for extended periods of time. The researchers are now moving forward with advanced preclinical studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of their approach in humans.
The research was funded by various organizations, including the Gates Foundation, MIT, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
