Structural Impact of Lipid-based Permeation Enhancers to Improve Peptide Permeation Through Intestinal Mucus

Cristiana Cunha – Research Assistant, University of Copenhagen; Freja Bohr – Ph.d. student, University of Copenhagen; Panagiota Kalomoiri – Medical Advisor, Norvartis; Nikos Hakzakis – Professor, University of Copenhagen; Mikkel Thygesen – Associated Professor, University of Copenhagen; Hanne Nielsen – Professor, University of Copenhagen

Introduction:
Oral delivery of therapeutic peptides is hindered by poor permeation across the intestinal mucosa barrier. Lipid‑based permeation enhancers (PEs) are widely explored to improve oral absorption [1,2], yet their effects on mucus structure and peptide transport remain poorly understood [3]. This study investigates how structural differences among lipid‑based PEs influence peptide permeability through intestinal mucus.