Ultra-Long-Acting Microneedles for Biologics Delivery

About the Project

This project aims to develop transdermal microneedle formulations for delivering biologic drugs over several weeks or months. Biologics (e.g. peptides, DNA, RNA) are emerging drugs for challenging diseases, including cancers and Alzheimer’s disease. Due to their macromolecular size, these drugs cannot be absorbed orally. Thus, they have traditionally required frequent invasive injections.

To overcome this issue, we have developed a novel material that can be used as a pharmaceutical excipient to greatly increase the drug loading capacity and drug release duration. It is suitable for formulating different dosage forms including oral, transdermal and implantable formulations. Using this technology, we have previously demonstrated extended drug release of a small-molecule drug over 2 months from a transdermal microneedle patch. This project will extend the application of the microneedle patch to delivering biologics. Several options are available with regards to the therapeutic agent and target disease. These are to be agreed with the supervisor team.

The clinical translation of this ultra-long-acting microneedle technology will empower patients to manage demanding medication regimens themselves. Not only will the microneedle patch replace invasive injections with a painless alternative that patients can self-administer, but it will also significantly reduce the frequency at which the patients will need to take their biologic medications. It will provide a set-and-forget way for patients to self-medicate.

Research Training and Environment

You will join a friendly, diverse and multidisciplinary team spanning the School of Pharmacy and School of Engineering. You will work collaboratively with our clinical and industry partners and have access to state-of-the-art research facilities across the university. You will develop skills in material science, formulation design, microfabrication, pharmaceutical analysis and toxicology testing, among others. There are also opportunities to partake in patient engagement and commercialisation activities relating to bringing the technology to market.

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Candidate Requirement

You should hold or expect to hold a 2:1 or 1st class degree in a biomedical or pharmaceutical science or equivalent subject. A Masters degree or prior research experience would be advantageous.

Relevant References

• Abdelghany TM, Vo N, Vukajlovic D, Smith E, Wong JZ, Jackson E, Hilkens CMU, Lau WM, Ng KW, Novakovic K. Engineering and in vitro evaluation of semi-dissolving, hydrogel-forming polymeric microneedles for sustained-release drug delivery. Int J Pharm. 2025;682:125932.
• Lee JY, Dong SH, Ng KW, Goh CF. Assessing the integrity and mechanical properties of commercial microneedles: innovation or fad? Drug Deliv Transl Res. 2025, epub ahead of print.
• Chan HKY, Archbold L, Lau WM, Ng KW. Validating Otto: a Franz diffusion cell autosampler to automate in vitro permeation studies, Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2025:103837.
• Bocchino A, Marquez-Grana C, Singh OP, Melnik E, Kurzhals S, Mutinati GC, Coulman S, Martin C, Ng KW, Vergilio MM, Birchall J, Donovan P, Galvin P, O’Mahony C. A multifunctional platform for the production and customization of polymer-based microneedle devices. Sens Actuators A Phys. 2025;388:116491.
• Vukajlovic D, Timmons R, Macesic S, Sanderson J, Xie F, Abdelghany TM, Smith E, Lau WM, Ng KW, Novakovic K. Mathematical modelling of genipin-bovine serum albumin interaction using fluorescence intensity measurements. Int J Biol Macromol. 2024;276(Pt 1):133850.
• Rimawe B, Lee JY, Ng KW, Goh CF. In vitro evaluation of microneedle strength: A comparison of test configurations and experimental insights. RSC Pharmaceutics. 2024;1:227-233.
• Smith E, Lau WM, Abdelghany TM, Vukajlovic D, Novakovic K, Ng KW. Vac-and-fill: A micromoulding technique for fabricating microneedle arrays with vacuum-activated, hands-free mould-filling. Int J Pharm. 2024;650:123706.

Funding Notes

This project is suitable for self-funded students or students with third-party sponsorship. There is no dedicated funding from the university for this project. The student will be expected to provide funding for tuition fees and living expenses. UK students may be able to apply for a Doctoral Loan from Student Finance for financial support. Some students may be eligible to apply for supplemental funding.

Details about the tuition fees and a supplemental funding search tool are available on our website: View Website