A self-adhesive microneedle patch with drug loading capability through swelling effect

• Main Authors: Chew, Sharon Wan Ting, Shah, Ankur Harish, Zheng, Mengjia, Chang, Hao, Wiraja, Christian, Steele, Terry W. J., Xu, Chenjie
• Other Authors: School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: Engineering::Materials; Bioadhesive; Dendrimer
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/143108
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Microneedles (MNs) offer a rapid method of transdermal drug delivery through penetration of the stratum corneum. However, commercial translation has been limited by fabrication techniques unique to each drug. Herein, a broadly applicable platform is explored by drug-loading via swelling effect of a hydrogel MN patch. A range of small molecule hydrophilic, hydrophobic, and biomacromolecule therapeutics demonstrate successful loading and burst release from hydrogel MNs fabricated from methacrylated hyaluronic acid (MeHA). The post-fabrication drug loading process allows MeHA MN patches with drug loadings of 10 μg cm-2. Additional post-fabrication processes are explored with dendrimer bioadhesives that increase work of adhesion, ensuring stable fixation on skin, and allow for additional drug loading strategies.