I hate injections. Ever since I was five years old and was “rewarded” with bi-weekly injections (oh, Dr. Isaacson- sorry for that black eye)- that continued for nearly a decade.
So, two decades later when I was offered the opportunity to develop a transdermal drug delivery system, I jumped into it. It worked- for small molecules. In the ensuing 3+ decades, this modality has found its way into conventional therapy- treating seasickness, cardiac disease, among many others.
Now, a new wrinkle is on the horizon. One that should deliver even more strictly controlled dosages. An implantable microchip. Developed by MicroCHIPS, a Massachusetts firm (since this publicantion, has been acquired by Dare Biosciences)- that is the direct result of the efforts of Bob Langer (someone you really should follow- a great guy with is an MIT ScD ChemE (1974) Institute Professor with more than 1300 publications), along with Drs. Michael Cima and John Santini (also MIT greats).
MicroCHIPS announced that it (published in Science Translational Medicine) has matched the performance of teriparatide drug injections with its device (implanted in 7 post-menopausal women, ranging in age from 60 to 70). While the test lasted only 20 days (in this report), MicroCHIPS expects this device to satisfy the needs of a patient for a year or so.
This is an important step because patient compliance with injections is less than ideal- and there is a critical need to have the drug available in the body continually. The final design will provide the drug using 365 microreservoirs- one for each of the daily dosages needed.
The device could also be used for patients suffering from pain or multiple sclerosis. However, diabetes patients would need a larger dosage than could be stored in such an implantable device.
While there were no toxic effects noted, one of the devices (in the 8th patient) failed to deliver drugs [electrical failure]. Moreover, the conceptual design of this device has been under development since 1999, when Santini was a PhD student at MIT (under Drs. Langer and Cima).
It is expected that it will take two more years of development for this device to be completed- and, then, there will probably be 2 more years of clinical testing. So, don’t go looking for this device from your physician any time soon. But, it is a harbinger of more intricate device-drug combinations soon to be available to keep us healthier.
Looking forward to hearing more about its availability in like 5 years.
Marie recently posted..The Pork Lady
I am sure I’ll be providing updates, Marie. Bob is an interesting fellow to follow…
This is exciting technology! I can see this being useful not only for drug delivery but about a dozen other things too. You always have the coolest information and toys, Roy!
Glad you liked the post, Lisa. Bob Langer is a pretty inventive guy!
Roy
I don’t know if I like the idea of being micro-chipped. I’m not a dog who needs others to get me home safe and I an old enough and responsible enough to make decisions about my medicine without it being pumped into my body without my control. Just my 2 cents.
Shawn recently posted..Rusty Motors, Plastic Milk Cartons and Gunny Sacks
I am against micro-chipping people for identification and tracking. But, to get an ideal dosage of a drug that is needed for my survival or treatment, with no further interaction, memory, or purchase is a pretty exciting development to me, Shawn.
I like the idea of not taking so much meds all the time, but what is to stop unscrupulous doctors from using the chip to act as both a med source and an ID/tracking chip (for people who refuse to get one)? Yes, I do believe in government conspiracies. Who says that just because I am paranoid they are not out to get me?
Ann recently posted..Business Blogging—Proof that You Still Exist
You assumed doctors will be able to manipulate the device. Most FDA approved devices have approved regimens. The concept is to replace a once daily pill or injection- not to afford anyone to willy nilly program the drug dispensation (which could lead to charges of aggravated injury- which the manufacturer clearly wants to avoid)!
Sorry. I watched a History Show about Dr. Mengele (SP) the night before I wrote that.
Ann recently posted..Business Blogging—Proof that You Still Exist
Very interesting, Roy! I had no idea that this was even in the works and if it becomes mainstream, it could be so beneficial to people who are anti-needle, fearful of needles or not so diligent about daily injections. This is great information.
Lauren Huston recently posted..Branding vs. Bragging
Bingo, Lauren…
That’s exactly what excited me about Bob’s great innovation…
Thanks for visiting and adding to the discussion.
Roy