Microneedles for transdermal delivery of long-acting biologics

About the Project

Long‑acting delivery of biologic therapeutics is widely recognised as a major unmet need in modern healthcare. Biologic drugs, including peptides, proteins and nucleic acid‑based medicines, are increasingly used to treat chronic and complex diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative conditions and metabolic disorders. However, their clinical impact is often limited by the need for frequent injections, which increases patient burden, reduces adherence and places pressure on healthcare systems worldwide.

This PhD project aims to develop ultra‑long‑acting drug delivery systems capable of delivering biologic therapeutics in a controlled manner over weeks or months from a single administration. The overarching goal is to enable sustained, patient‑friendly delivery of biologics using clinically realistic and scalable pharmaceutical technologies.

The project is based on a novel materials platform developed within the group, which functions as a pharmaceutical excipient with exceptionally high drug‑loading capacity and controllable release behaviour. This platform is compatible with multiple dosage forms, including transdermal and implantable delivery systems. Using this technology, controlled release of a small‑molecule drug for up to two months has already been demonstrated. This PhD will extend the platform to biologic therapeutics, addressing key challenges associated with macromolecular stability, formulation, and long‑term release control.