Protein based drugs could become oral medication

MIT Engineers in collaboration with scientists from Novo Nordisk have been working on a capsule that could carry protein drugs into the gastrointestinal tract safely, giving another option to take medication that’s currently only available via injections.
The new capsule has overcome all limitations by revealing dissolvable microneedles that attach to the intestinal wall releasing the drug into the bloodstream. In tests carried out on pigs, researchers have shown that the capsule could load insulin that could amount to the same as an injection, which would be released into the bloodstream faster once the microneedles were released.
“The latest results of our new oral delivery devices are showing results that we’re really pleased with.” Said Robert Langer, the David H. Koch Institute Professor at MIT. “We look forward to seeing this device help those suffering with diabetes and others in the future.”