Microneedle Mediated Transdermal Delivery of Protein, Peptide and Antibody Based Therapeutics: Current Status and Future Considerations

M. Kirkby, A.R.J. Hutton, R.F. Donnelly

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

86 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The success of protein, peptide and antibody
based therapies is evident - the biopharmaceuticals market is
predicted to reach $388 billion by 2024 [1], and more than
half of the current top 20 blockbuster drugs are biopharmaceuticals. However, the intrinsic properties of biopharmaceuticals has restricted the routes available for successful drug delivery. While providing 100% bioavailability, the intravenous
route is often associated with pain and needle phobia from a
patient perspective, which may translate as a reluctance to
receive necessary treatment. Several non-invasive strategies
have since emerged to overcome these limitations. One such
strategy involves the use of microneedles (MNs), which are
able to painlessly penetrate the stratum corneum barrier to
dramatically increase transdermal drug delivery of numerous
drugs. This review reports the wealth of studies that aim to
enhance transdermal delivery of biopharmaceutics using
MNs. The true potential of MNs as a drug delivery device
for biopharmaceuticals will not only rely on acceptance from
prescribers, patients and the regulatory authorities, but the
ability to upscale MN manufacture in a cost-effective manner
and the long term safety of MN application. Thus, the current
barriers to clinical translation of MNs, and how these barriers
may be overcome are also discussed.
Original languageEnglish
Article number117
Pages (from-to)1-18
Number of pages18
JournalPharmaceutical Research
Volume37
Early online date2 Jun 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished online - 2 Jun 2020

Keywords

  • drug delivery
  • Microneedle
  • peptide delivery
  • protein delivery
  • transdermal

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