MicroChips Unveils Successful Drug Delivery Test With Implantable Device
Posted on February 17, 2012
MicroChips, a developer of implantable drug delivery devices and biosensors, has been developing an implantable device for delivering drugs. They have just announced the results of the first successful human clinical trial of the device. The implantable device is wirelessly controlled and is about the size of a flash drive. The study was published in today's online edition of the journal Science Translational Medicine. The devices could be used to distribute a wide variety of drugs in the future.
Robert Farra, MicroChips President and Chief Operating Officer, says in a statement, "These data validate the microchip approach to multi-year drug delivery without the need for frequent injections, which can improve the management of many chronic diseases like osteoporosis where adherence to therapy is a significant problem. We look forward to making further progress to advance our first device toward regulatory approvals, as well as developing a range of products for use in important disease areas such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, multiple sclerosis, cancer, and chronic pain."
In the trial, seven osteoporotic postmenopausal women diagnosed with osteoporosis received daily doses of the teriparatide through microchip delivery rather than by daily injection. MicroChips says the resulting PK profiles from the implant were comparable to and had less variation than the PK profiles of multiple, recommended subcutaneous injections of the drug. MicroCips also says the study also demonstrated that the programmable implant was able to deliver the drug at scheduled intervals.
The implantable device works as an alternative to shots. The drug is in a powder form inside the device. It could also be very useful for Alzheimer's and dementia patients who suffer memory problems. A downside with a device is that if there is a failure with the device a large amount of drug could be unleashed into a person's body all at one time. The Wall Street Journal says the device is still five years out for public use. Take a look: