Interfacial Self-assembled Microsphere-Integrated Microneedle for Enhanced Drug-Loading Transdermal Delivery

Maria Lobita – University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), University of Groningen, Ant. Deusinglaan 1, Groningen, AV 9713, the Netherlands, Department of Biomaterials and Biomedical Technology, University Medical Center Groningen; Yu He – University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), University of Groningen, Ant. Deusinglaan 1, Groningen, AV 9713, the Netherlands, Department of Biomaterials and Biomedical Technology, University Medical Center Groningen; Hélder Santos – University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), University of Groningen, Ant. Deusinglaan 1, Groningen, AV 9713, the Netherlands, Department of Biomaterials and Biomedical Technology, University Medical Center Groningen; Mohammad-Ali Shahbazi – University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), University of Groningen, Ant. Deusinglaan 1, Groningen, AV 9713, the Netherlands, Department of Biomaterials and Biomedical Technology, University Medical Center Groningen

Introduction:

 Polymeric microneedles (MNs) represent a revolutionary painless transdermal delivery platform¹. However, clinical translation is hindered by restricted drug-loading capacity, low solubility of therapeutic agents, and potential drug degradation during manufacturing. Here, we addresses these hurdles by developing a novel hybrid system where drug-loaded microspheres are integrated into dissolving MNs. The MN architecture shields sensitive payloads and provides a sustained-release profile, thus expanding the scope of transdermal applications.