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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Micropod (MICROPOrous Devices for next-generation therapeutic delivery)

Teaser

Summary

Microneedle patches that can be applied to the skin are an important advance in the delivery of drugs. They offer advantages over the traditional needle and syringe, including needle phobia and the risk of needle stick injuries. To be effective in applications like vaccination, microneedle patches need to be cheap to produce, work in a reliable fashion and deliver a controlled amount of drug. Here, we are developing microneedle patches where the microneedles have interconnected
porosity, for easy drug loading and maximising the amount of drug that can be stored in them.The goals of this project are to develop porous microneedle patches, using manufacturing techniques that are scalable and cost-effective and to show their potential use as an effective way of drug delivery.
Our porous microneedle patches, Micropods, have been successfully developed in the lab and show promising potential for painless drug delivery. Introducing porosity into the microneedles means that drugs can be efficiently loaded into the patches. We are exploring the patentability of this technology before public disclosure and are seeking ways to advance it towards clinical applications. This project has been a catalyst for the fellow to set=up a new research lab at University College Dublin, the UCD Medical Device Design Lab, with the development of microneedle technology as a core focus.

Work performed

The following deliverables were all achieved throughout the project.

D1.1 An in silico model that accurately simulates microneedle insertion into skin
D2.1 Optimal theoretical design inputs for MICROPOD

D.2.1 Manufacturing process for producing MICROPOD
D3.1 Functional MICROPOD prototypes with controlled porosity

The applicant has successful produced MICROPODs that can be used for drug delivery but also for extracting interstitial fluid.
Two manuscripts are now in preparation for publication in peer-reviewed journals and a review paper on microneedles has already been published on this work.

Final results

An invention disclosure form was submitted passed on the IP generated in this project.
Impact has been achieved based on the following:

Impact through Contribution to Knowledge-based economy & society
I have begun to grow a research group in Medical Device Design at UCD where I am training the next generation of medtech entrepreneurs, where our focus is on addressing clinical needs that will be of benefit to our patients and healthcare systems. Outputs from this project were highlighted by our technology transfer office with a press release, which was highlighted in local media. The PI has written an impact statement with an Irish journalist which will be published in the coming months.

Impact through network of excellence
I have integrated my knowledge and skills as an incoming fellow into UCD, where I have expanded my network of collaborators on microneedle-related projects. MICROPOD has provided me with the opportunity to grow a network of clinical and scientific collaborators in Europe.

Impact through Career Development
The major impact of MICROPOD is that it has allowed me to transition to an independent permanent academic position and begin to build my own research group. I have now begun to establish a reputation as emerging leader in Medical Device Design, as illustrated by my recent appointment as a Funded Investigator in CÃºram, the Science Foundation Ireland Centre for Research in Medical Devices. As part of MICROPOD, I completed a professional certificate in teaching, which will have a significant impact on my broader career development.