A biodegradable suction patch for sustainable transbuccal peptide delivery
This study developed a biodegradable buccal suction patch designed to improve the systemic delivery of peptide therapeutics by bypassing gastrointestinal degradation. Researchers replaced previously used non-degradable silicone materials with thermally crosslinked, synthesized copolyesters, fabricated via a scalable mold-casting process. Mechanical testing across multiple polymer formulations and patch shapes identified the best-performing biodegradable candidate, and degradation was confirmed in both aqueous media and simulated waste environments. An ex vivo model using porcine buccal tissue demonstrated that the biodegradable patch, when combined with a chemical permeation enhancer, improved permeation of a poorly permeable dye compared to controls. In an in vivo study conducted in beagle dogs, the patch substantially improved the bioavailability of semaglutide (4.11 kDa) relative to a commercially available oral tablet over a 10-minute application window. Additionally, the patch achieved a relative bioavailability of approximately 26% for bremelanotide (1.03 kDa) compared to subcutaneous injection. Limitations include the use of an animal model (beagle dogs) rather than human subjects, a small experimental scale, and the need for further clinical translation studies. The work highlights a potential sustainable alternative to silicone-based buccal delivery devices.
Why this grade: Key in vivo pharmacokinetic findings are derived exclusively from beagle dog studies, with no human subjects enrolled, placing this firmly in the animal-evidence category.
Despite considerable advances in the systemic delivery of peptides, their susceptibility to gastrointestinal degradation and high molecular weight, which restricts permeability across biological barriers, remain obstacles to oral administration. As a result, most peptide therapies rely on injections to achieve therapeutic effects. Recent studies on a bioinspired suction patch demonstrated positive effects in vivo with three peptides – desmopressin, semaglutide, and teriparatide – yet materials used for patch fabrication were non-degradable. In this work, a more sustainable patch alternative is introduced by replacing previously used materials with biodegradable polymers, aiming for degradation of the patch after removal to reduce environmental impact. A scalable mold casting process was employed to thermally crosslink synthesized and functionalized copolyesters, yielding the desired devices. Mechanical testing across various materials and shapes identified the best-performing polymer, while its degradation was confirmed in both aqueous medium and simulated waste. An ex vivo model using porcine buccal tissue validated the functionality of biodegradable patches, showing enhanced permeation of a poorly permeable dye when combined with a chemical permeation enhancer. In beagle dogs, the bioavailability of semaglutide (4.11 kDa) was substantially improved compared to the commercially available tablet, with an application time of only 10 min. Additionally, the patch achieved a relative bioavailability of 26% for bremelanotide (1.03 kDa) compared to subcutaneous administration. This work underscores the potential of replacing silicone devices with biodegradable alternatives, providing a more sustainable approach for peptide delivery via the buccal suction patch.
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