Researchers from MIT and Novo Nordisk have developed a novel drug delivery system that mimics natural transport in the gastrointestinal tract, aiming to overcome the challenge of oral delivery for drugs such as insulin and monoclonal antibodies. The capsule uses jets to eject drugs into the tissue lining the digestive tract, inspired by the mechanism of squids and octopuses.
The Challenge of Oral Delivery
Drugs such as insulin and monoclonal antibodies are typically injected because they require a needle to deliver them. However, this method can be painful and may cause damage to the tissue. The new capsule aims to overcome this challenge by delivering these molecules orally without the need for needles.
How it Works
The capsule is designed to target different parts of the digestive tract. A second version has a tube-like shape that allows it to align itself within a long tubular organ, while another version can be attached to an endoscope. The device uses jets to eject drugs into the tissue lining the digestive tract.
Inspiration from Cephalopods
The design of the new device was inspired by squids and octopuses, which use their mantle cavity to fill with water and then rapidly expel it through their siphon to propel themselves. This mechanism allows them to control their speed and direction. The researchers adapted this concept to create a needle-free strategy for delivering drugs.
Potential Applications
The new capsule could be used to deliver insulin, antibodies, RNA, or other large molecules without the need for injections. This technology has the potential to improve the lives of patients with diabetes, obesity, and other metabolic disorders.
Key Features of the Bioinspired Capsule
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Needle-free delivery: The capsule can deliver large molecules such as insulin, antibodies, RNA, or other macromolecules without the need for injections.
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Targeted delivery: The researchers have designed the capsules to target different parts of the digestive tract, allowing for precise delivery of drugs.
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Self-orienting capability: Some versions of the capsule can align themselves within a long tubular organ, such as the esophagus or small intestine.
The bioinspired capsule could offer an alternative way to deliver drugs that normally have to be injected, such as insulin and other large proteins. This needle-free strategy could also be used to deliver RNA for therapeutic purposes, potentially treating diabetes, obesity, and other metabolic disorders.
Collaboration and Publication
The research was conducted by a team from MIT and Novo Nordisk, led by Giovanni Traverso, director of the Laboratory for Translational Engineering and associate professor of mechanical engineering at MIT. The study appears today in Nature.
