Microneedles: Characteristics, Materials, Production Methods and Commercial Development
Amina Tucak,
Merima Sirbubalo,
Lamija Hindija,
Ognjenka Rahić,
Jasmina Hadžiabdić,
Kenan Muhamedagić,
Ahmet Čekić,
Edina Vranić
Affiliations
Amina Tucak
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Merima Sirbubalo
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Lamija Hindija
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ognjenka Rahić
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Jasmina Hadžiabdić
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Kenan Muhamedagić
Department of Machinery Production Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sarajevo, Vilsonovo šetalište 9, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ahmet Čekić
Department of Machinery Production Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sarajevo, Vilsonovo šetalište 9, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Edina Vranić
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Although transdermal drug delivery systems (DDS) offer numerous benefits for patients, including the avoidance of both gastric irritation and first-pass metabolism effect, as well as improved patient compliance, only a limited number of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) can be delivered accordingly. Microneedles (MNs) represent one of the most promising concepts for effective transdermal drug delivery that penetrate the protective skin barrier in a minimally invasive and painless manner. The first MNs were produced in the 90s, and since then, this field has been continually evolving. Therefore, different manufacturing methods, not only for MNs but also MN molds, are introduced, which allows for the cost-effective production of MNs for drug and vaccine delivery and even diagnostic/monitoring purposes. The focus of this review is to give a brief overview of MN characteristics, material composition, as well as the production and commercial development of MN-based systems.
