Problem Statement

Delivery of large molecular weight drugs, such as macromolecules, peptides, insulin, vaccine, proteins, RNA, DNA, etc. via skin are challenging and most topical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic products are subject to the same limitation. Microneedles (MNs) have been developed to overcome the skin barrier by creating micro channels through skin which allow delivery of large molecular weight compounds. However, commercial microneedles are subject to several drawbacks i.e. can only be applied on certain skin areas (flat & large surface), require two-step application and prone to infection due to needle reuse.

Objective

To develop 3D printed microneedle device or new delivery platforms which are safe and easy to use on all skin surfaces and able to formulate together with cosmetic and therapeutics for one-step application

Microneedle granules with demonstration of depth-controlled microchannels through skin and formulation with cosmetic cream, functionalisation with growth factors, therapeutics, or cosmetics (e.g., biomolecules, peptides, proteins, vaccine, vitamin, etc.)

Key Benefits/Outcomes

• The developed microneedle granules are biodegradable, biocompatible, and environmentally safe.
• Microneedle granule shows greatly enhanced penetration rate, more than 10 times higher compared with using conventional microneedle patch.
• Led to one patent application: “Development of bio-inspired micro needle granules and the application in drug delivery”
• Led to the creation of a spin-off company (NUSMETICS). The project team has secured NUS GRIP award and is currently raising funds to scale up their 3D printing manufacturing facilities.

Printed microneedle granules can be easily mixed with liquid or cream. The figure shows mixture of MGs and commercial collagen cream (a) 450 μm MG (b) 750μm MG

Competitive strength of microneedle granules over its competitors, e.g, microneedle, physical scrubs (exfoliator)