Creating new devices for easier skin injections of thick medicines
Official title: Development of Blister packs for intradermal delivery of high-viscosity suspensions
Funded at Texas Tech University · NIH-10752642 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new devices that can gently deliver thick medicines, like DNA vaccines, into the skin using tiny needles, making it easier and less painful for patients to get their shots.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Tech University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lubbock, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $220,683 |
| NIH project number | 5R21EB030309-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10752642 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who require vaccinations or treatments for infectious diseases, especially in developing countries.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not require intradermal delivery of high-viscosity medications or those with contraindications to such treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative devices that allow for the intradermal delivery of high-viscosity medications, particularly DNA-based vaccines. By utilizing a blister-pack concept and hollow microneedles, the project aims to create prototypes that can effectively inject these thick substances into the skin with minimal pain and improved efficiency. The devices will be tested with various fluid viscosities and existing drugs to ensure their effectiveness and safety. This approach could enhance patient compliance and facilitate faster immune responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and less painful vaccination methods, particularly for infectious diseases.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using microneedles for drug delivery has shown promise in other studies, the specific application of blister packs for high-viscosity suspensions is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marston, Jeremy — Texas Tech University
- Study coordinator: Marston, Jeremy
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.