This Capsule is Designed to Allow For Oral Insulin Delivery
Rahul Kalvapalle — April 20, 2023 — Lifestyle
References: rmit.edu.au & technologynetworks
A team of scientists at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia have developed an innovative insulin capsule which offers exceptional promise in being able to offer oral delivery of insulin, which is typically delivered through injections to people living with Type 1 diabetes.
Although scientists have previously tried to develop insulin capsules, these drugs haven't worked out due to the way in which the gastrointestinal tract degrades peptides in the drug. That's why the Australian scientists took the step of using a unique nanomaterial that is sheathed in an enteric layer in order to protect the contents of the high acidity of patients' stomachs.
Co-lead researcher Charlotte Conn, a professor and biophysical chemist at RMIT University, noted that in addition to potentially providing a more comfortable mode of insulin delivery for people currently relying on injections, the technology could also be leveraged to deliver other forms of protein drugs. “Other protein drugs such as monoclonal antibodies have been developed to treat inflammatory conditions, cancer and other diseases with a projected market value of about $400 billion by 2030,” Conn said.
Image Credit: RMIT University
Although scientists have previously tried to develop insulin capsules, these drugs haven't worked out due to the way in which the gastrointestinal tract degrades peptides in the drug. That's why the Australian scientists took the step of using a unique nanomaterial that is sheathed in an enteric layer in order to protect the contents of the high acidity of patients' stomachs.
Co-lead researcher Charlotte Conn, a professor and biophysical chemist at RMIT University, noted that in addition to potentially providing a more comfortable mode of insulin delivery for people currently relying on injections, the technology could also be leveraged to deliver other forms of protein drugs. “Other protein drugs such as monoclonal antibodies have been developed to treat inflammatory conditions, cancer and other diseases with a projected market value of about $400 billion by 2030,” Conn said.
Image Credit: RMIT University
Trend Themes
1. Oral Delivery of Insulin - The development of an innovative insulin capsule with a unique nanomaterial that is sheathed in an enteric layer is a disruptive innovation opportunity for the insulin industry as it can potentially provide a more comfortable mode of delivery and improve patient compliance.
2. Protein Drug Delivery - The technology behind the insulin capsule can be leveraged to deliver other forms of protein drugs which presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for researchers and manufacturers in the pharmaceutical industry with a market value of about $400 billion by 2030.
3. Nanomaterial-based Drug Delivery - The use of nanomaterial based drug delivery systems like the enteric sheath can be a disruptive innovation opportunity for the drug delivery industry as it can enhance the bioavailability, stability and targeted delivery of various types of drugs.
Industry Implications
1. Insulin - The development of the insulin capsule presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for manufacturers of insulin products as it can potentially provide a more comfortable mode of delivery and improve patient compliance.
2. Pharmaceutical - The technology behind the insulin capsule and its potential use for other protein drugs presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for pharmaceutical manufacturers for the treatment of various diseases with a market value of about $400 billion by 2030.
3. Biotechnology - The development of a nanomaterial-based drug delivery system is a disruptive innovation opportunity for the biotechnology industry as it can enhance the bioavailability and targeted delivery of various types of drugs.
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