Targeted delivery of biologic drugs into tissues with automated microneedle pumps
Official title: Engineering Tissue Level Targeting of Biologic Drugs via Automated Interfacial Microneedle Pumps
Funded at Georgia Institute of Technology · NIH-11377339 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new device-driven approach aims to deliver large-molecule medicines directly into diseased tissues to improve effectiveness and reduce side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $393,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM150689-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11377339 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with solid tumors or cardiac conditions where tissue-targeted biologic therapies could improve outcomes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose conditions do not involve poorly penetrated tissues or who cannot receive biologic therapies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on creating an automated microneedle pump system to push large biologic drugs into dense tissues like tumors and heart muscle. It addresses the challenge that big drugs cannot penetrate tissue well when given by mouth or standard injections, and it explores how to control flow and pressure for precise delivery. By modeling tissue flow and testing the device, the project seeks to enable more targeted therapies for cancer and cardiac conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more effective tissue-specific therapies with fewer off-target effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that targeted delivery is challenging but there is potential for significant improvements with controlled infusion systems.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Abramson, Alex — Georgia Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Abramson, Alex
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.