Protheragen-ING specializes in the development and manufacturing of dissolving microneedles, a revolutionary technology that offers numerous benefits for drug delivery and cosmetic applications. With our expertise and cutting-edge facilities, we offer a comprehensive range of services to support your dissolving microneedle development needs. Whether you are a pharmaceutical company, a cosmetic brand, or a research organization, we will assist you in bringing your innovative ideas to life.

Background

Dissolving microneedles are microscopic needles with a length of 25 to 2000 μm, a base diameter of 50 to 300 μm, and a tip diameter of 1 to 30 μm, prepared from various materials that can penetrate the stratum corneum. These needles are regularly arranged on a patch with an area of 1~2 cm² and are a novel transdermal drug delivery system that can painlessly self-administer drugs.

Dissolving microneedles encapsulate the drug in a biodegradable polymer matrix and dissolve completely after insertion into the skin, leaving no biohazardous waste of sharp objects after use.

Fig. 1 Dissolving microneedles. (Sartawi Z, et al. 2022)

Our Services

We offer a full range of services to support your dissolving microneedle development program, including:

• Design and development - We work with you to design dissolving microneedles that meet your specific needs. Our expertise in material selection, microneedle geometry, and coating optimization ensures the development of high-performance microneedles.
• Prototyping and manufacturing - We have state-of-the-art facilities for large-scale prototyping and manufacturing of dissolving microneedles. Our advanced manufacturing processes ensure consistent, reliable, high-quality microneedles that meet regulatory standards.
• Formulation and optimization - Our team of formulation experts assists in the development and optimization of pharmaceutical or cosmetic formulations compatible with dissolving microneedles.
• Analytical testing - We offer a full range of analytical testing services to assess the performance and quality of dissolving microneedles, including size measurements, dissolution rate assessment, dissolution studies, mechanical strength testing, drug release analysis, biocompatibility assessment, and coating performance characterization.
• Regulatory support - We can help you meet regulatory requirements, provide documentation support, and ensure compliance with guidelines.

Our Dissolving Microneedle Preparation Method

The simple production method of Protheragen-ING is as follows: ① Prepare a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mold of the appropriate size by laser drilling; ② A solution of the biodegradable polymer (containing API) of appropriate concentration is poured into the mold; ③ Vacuum to remove the excess solution; ④ Dry and demold to obtain microneedles.

Fig. 2 The fabrication process of dissolving microneedle patches. (Chen CH, et al. 2018)

After the microneedle is applied to the skin, an efficient absorption channel of active ingredients is formed on the skin surface by pressing, so that the active ingredients penetrate the epidermal layer of the skin, and the effective conductivity of the active ingredients reaches more than 90%.

Our commonly used matrix materials include carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC), polylactic acid (PLA), chondroitin sulfate, dextran, dextrin, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polylactic acid and other glycolic acid copolymers (PLGA), carboxymethylcellulose sodium (CMC-Na), and sericin protein.

Benefits of Our Dissolving Microneedles

• Painless drug delivery.
• Targeted delivery to provide targeted, localized therapy.
• Enhanced bioavailability.
• Reduced side effects by bypassing the digestive system and avoiding first-pass metabolism.
• Eliminates the need for needle disposal, reducing the risk of needlestick injuries and potential infections.

Our Capabilities

• Microfabrication Technology: We utilize micro- and nano-fabrication technologies to fabricate the structure of microneedles. This includes methods such as photolithography, electron beam exposure, and ion beam etching. These techniques allow us to precisely control the size, shape, and structure of microneedles to meet specific delivery needs.
• Material Selection: We select high-quality materials to manufacture dissolving microneedles. These materials have good biocompatibility and mechanical properties and can provide a stable point of stimulation on the skin surface and dissolve to release the drug or other ingredient in an appropriate amount of time.
• Coating Technology: We use different coating methods to add a protective or functional coating to the surface of the microneedles. These coatings enhance the stability of the microneedles, control the dissolution rate, and provide appropriate drug release characteristics.
• Quality Control and Testing: We conduct rigorous quality control and testing to ensure that the dissolving microneedles we manufacture meet specifications and requirements.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you with your dissolving microneedle development journey.