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Skin and Mucosal Delivery (Focus Group – SMD)

FucoPol-based dissolving microneedles as a bioactive platform for transdermal drug delivery

Beatriz Faria – MSc student, Chemistry, UCIBIO/i4HB, NOVA University Lisbon; Francisco Santos – PhD student, Chemistry, UCIBIO/i4HB, NOVA University Lisbon; Filomena Freitas – Assistant Professor, Chemistry, UCIBIO/i4HB, NOVA University Lisbon
Introduction: Dissolving microneedles (DMNs) are minimally invasive systems that bypass the stratum corneum to enable efficient transdermal drug delivery (TDD). Their performance depends strongly on the polymeric matrix properties, which dictate mechanical strength, dissolution, and release behavior (1). Natural polysaccharides are attractive candidates due to their biocompatibility and potential intrinsic bioactivity. FucoPol, a fucose-rich bacterial exopolysaccharide with reported antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has shown promise in biomedical applications (2,3). Herein, we report for the first time the development of FucoPol-based DMNs as a bioactive platform for TDD.

Learning Objectives:

  • Analyze how polymer concentration influences microneedle structure and fabrication.
  • Describe the fabrication process and optimization of FucoPol-based DMNs.
  • Assess the dissolution and release profiles of DMNs loaded with model drugs.