Shinshin Pharmaceutical Develops Next-Generation Microneedle Pharmaceuticals

Shinshin Pharmaceutical announced on the 21st that it has completed the establishment of a microneedle research facility and will accelerate the development of the world's first microneedle drug, a 'topical arthritis treatment.'

Shinshin Pharmaceutical plans to complete the installation of related equipment within this month after testing the research facility. Once the equipment installation is completed, the development of microneedle drugs will proceed in earnest. Microneedles enable the administration of 'polymer drugs,' which had many limitations with conventional drug delivery methods, thereby expanding indications. It is also easy to expand into various therapeutic developments in the future.

Shinshin Pharmaceutical has also secured microsphere technology suitable for microneedles by utilizing TDDS technology. Microspheres are next-generation drug delivery technology that improves solubility and bioavailability by reducing the molecular size of drugs and converting them into an amorphous form. Using this technology can slow the drug release rate and extend dosing intervals, thereby improving patient convenience.

In a transdermal permeation analysis study of anti-inflammatory analgesics (NSAIDs) applying microsphere technology, Shinshin Pharmaceutical confirmed that the drug retention effect in the body lasted up to three times longer compared to existing patches. Based on these research results, Shinshin Pharmaceutical has filed two patents related to improving the bioavailability of microneedles.

A Shinshin Pharmaceutical official stated, "We expect to complete the establishment of our own research facility within this month," adding, "We are collaborating with domestic experts in the relevant field and expect to secure facilities optimized for the microneedle technology owned by Shinshin Pharmaceutical."

After securing the microneedle research facility, Shinshin Pharmaceutical plans to develop a topical arthritis treatment as its first microneedle drug. Developing a microneedle-based topical arthritis treatment can drastically reduce the number of drug administrations compared to existing injections. Since self-administration is also possible, it is expected to be an innovative treatment method.

A Shinshin Pharmaceutical official added, "We are currently evaluating the drug delivery effect by applying existing topical arthritis treatment drugs to microneedle formulations," and "After establishing the research facility, we plan to expand the microneedle therapeutic portfolio to include obesity, osteoporosis, and other conditions."