Revolutionizing Drug Delivery: How Cuttlefish-Inspired Device Could Change the Game

A group of bioengineers has developed a new drug delivery device inspired by cuttlefish and other sea creatures that could revolutionize the way drugs are administered. The device, about the size of a blueberry, can be swallowed and uses jets to eject drugs into the tissue lining the digestive tract, allowing for oral delivery of drugs that would normally require injection.

The researchers published their findings in Nature, showcasing the device’s efficiency in delivering drugs orally compared to other methods. This innovation could potentially make it easier for patients to receive medication, especially for drugs like insulin and monoclonal antibodies that typically require injections.

The device was tested on a pig using GLP-1 drugs and small interfering RNA, with promising results. It was able to make more than 10% of the drug bioavailable, a significant improvement over current oral drug delivery methods.

While the study shows great promise, further testing is needed to determine the range of drugs this method could work for and to conduct human trials to assess its efficiency in people. The researchers hope that this new avenue of research will lead to more convenient and effective ways of delivering drugs to patients in the future.