💊 Challenges include degradation from stomach acids. Solutions involve advanced delivery devices, like robotic pills that enhance bioavailability.
🌱 Another approach is using plants to produce biologics for oral use. Despite potential advantages, significant hurdles remain for widespread success.
Introduction:
The article explores the potential for oral formulations of biologics, typically administered through injections, to be developed into effective oral delivery systems. These formulations could revolutionize patient administration by enhancing compliance and reducing costs, despite significant challenges posed by the gastrointestinal environment and the need for high bioavailability.
- The transition from injectable to oral formulations of biologics can simplify patient administration and enhance compliance.
- Challenges include the degradation of biologics by stomach acids and enzymes, as well as hepatic clearance post-absorption.
- Innovative delivery systems, such as robotic pills developed by Rani Therapeutics, show promise, achieving significantly higher bioavailability compared to traditional injections.
- Bioprocessing techniques, including robotic drug-testing systems, may help identify biologics that can withstand the gut environment.
- Utilizing edible plants for molecular farming presents a viable method for direct oral delivery of biotherapeutics.
Conclusion:
While developing oral formulations for biologics holds substantial advantages, significant barriers remain. Continuous innovation and research may pave the way for overcoming these challenges, potentially transforming how biologics are administered and improving accessibility for patients.
