PI: Mats Forssell
Co-PI(s): Pulkit Grover, Maysam Chamanzar, Vishal Jain
University: Carnegie Mellon University
Industry Partner: Advanced Optronics
Microneedle array (MNA) technology could revolutionize how we deliver drugs and vaccines to the
human body. In the last 15 years, many research laboratories have demonstrated the effectiveness of
MNAs in delivering a broad range of therapeutics, drugs, and vaccines. Among different types of MNAs,
dissolvable MNAs are a primary candidate for efficient and effective drug delivery. In dissolvable
MNAs, the biocargo to be delivered is integrated into a matrix of dissolvable polymers that form the
microneedles. Upon administration, the MNAs dissolve and deliver biocargo into the skin. However,
the FDA regulatory approval and clinical translation of dissolvable MNAs have been limited. A critical
problem is variability in their delivery dosage. Although the dosage loaded into the MNAs is very
precisely controlled, their lack of reproducible and uniform penetration into the skin is the cause of this
variability. Specifically, needle defects, (unwanted) patch curvature, and variation in material properties
(caused by moisture absorption from the environment) result in significant variations in uniform
penetration of MNA patches. Increased patch size (large patch area) exacerbates this problem
considerably.