Rani Therapeutics, a US start-up company, and Novartis are teaming up to create the first "robotic pill" which will be the first oral agent to deliver biologic drugs. The study will determine which biologic drugs are compatible for administration via Rani's robotic technology. A large focus of the study will look at the technology's ability to administer insulin to diabetic patietns.
So how does it work? Acid in the digestive system corrodes the pill's external coating, exposing an internal valve that separates citric acid and sodium bicarbonate. As the valve becomes exposed, the bicarb and citric acid mix and to form carbon dioxide. As the CO2 is produced, it inflates a balloon-like structure that is covered in microneedles made of sugar that contain the drug. As the balloon inflates, the needles make subcutaneous injections into the intestinal wall. The balloon then detaches and slowly dissolves as it moves through the GI tract.
This new technology is part of the recent trend in merging technology and medicine. If approved, this could open doors for new medical advancements that vastly improve the quality of our patients' lives and extend overall life expectancy.
References:
http://www.pharmacytimes.com/publications/issue/2015/july2015/robotic-pills-could-simplify-administration-of-biologic-drugs
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