Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2025
07:41
Author Spotlight: Innovative Microneedle-Based Strategies for Enhanced Exosome Delivery and Stability
Published on: July 12, 2024
2.3K
Microneedle technology for potential SARS-CoV-2 vaccine delivery
Megan McNamee1, Shuyi Wong1, Owen Guy1
1School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Fabian Way, Bay Campus, Swansea University, Swansea, UK.
Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery
|May 2, 2023
Summary
Microneedle patches offer a painless alternative for vaccine delivery, overcoming challenges associated with traditional methods. Research is advancing to prepare these innovative microneedle vaccine technologies for mass production and implementation.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Vaccinology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Microneedles were first conceptualized in the 1970s for painless transdermal drug delivery.
- Recent advancements, spurred by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, have focused on microneedle arrays for in vivo intradermal vaccine delivery.
- Microneedle arrays are fabricated in diverse shapes, geometries, formats, and materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore microneedle platforms as a vehicle for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine administration.
- To present various modes of vaccination delivery using microneedle arrays.
- To examine the advantages and implementation hurdles of microneedle-based vaccine delivery.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent SARS-CoV-2 research utilizing microneedle technology.
- Analysis of different microneedle array designs and fabrication materials.
- Examination of clinical study phases and production scalability.
Main Results:
- Microneedle technology presents a viable alternative to traditional vaccine delivery, addressing pain and anxiety.
- The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the development of microneedle vaccine patches, reducing reliance on mass vaccination centers.
- Microneedle vaccine patches are progressing through clinical trials.
Conclusions:
- Microneedle vaccine patches are transitioning to clinical application, offering a promising alternative to conventional methods.
- Further research is needed to optimize microneedle technology for large-scale manufacturing and widespread adoption.
- The shift towards microneedle-based vaccination platforms is imminent due to their inherent advantages.
