Microneedles
Microneedles
Adhesive Patches
Research and Development Activities
Industry-Academia Collaboration
Intellectual Property
Manufacturing
About Microneedle Technology
Constantly evolving, next-generation TTS
Microneedles are very small needles several hundred microns in length that deliver drugs or active compounds by absorption into the skin. Microneedles can deliver larger amounts of active compounds with greater efficiency than simply placing a drug on the surface of the skin. Microneedles also deliver drugs to the body more simply and with less pain than traditional injections, and show promise as an alternative method of vaccine delivery and in other medical and pharmaceutical applications.
CosMED Pharmaceutical was the first in the world* to successfully commercialize dissolving microneedles, which are microneedles made from materials that occur naturally in the skin, such as hyaluronic acid and collagen, which dissolve once placed in the skin. CosMED Pharmaceutical is committed to pursuing innovative microneedle technology that surpasses expectations.
Microneedle Technology Overview
| Application | Type of Microneedle | Form of Use | Primary Microneedle Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical | Dissolving 〉 | Patches 〉 | Hyaluronic acid 〉 |
| Direct topical 〉 | Taurine 〉 | ||
| Non-dissolving 〉 | Patches 〉 | PGA、PLA、PP 〉 | |
| Cosmetics | Dissolving 〉 | Patches 〉 | Hyaluronic acid 〉 |
| Triple-helical collagen 〉 | |||
| Direct topical 〉 | Taurine 〉 |
Dissolving Microneedles
Dissolving microneedles are primarily made from water-soluble macromolecules found naturally in the skin, such as hyaluronic acid and collagen. When these microneedles are applied to the skin they penetrate the surface layer and dissolve inside the skin. Dissolving microneedles can deliver much larger amounts of drugs with much greater efficiency than simply applying an ointment or cream on the surface of the skin.
CosMED Pharmaceuticals was the first in the world*1 to establish an industrial-scale manufacturing process for dissolving microneedles. Because of their safety and simplicity, dissolving microneedles are also garnering interest as an alternative to traditional injections in the medical & pharmaceutical and the health & beauty domains.
Innovative Dissolving Microneedles
Metal and silicone microneedles were once studied in the USA, but safety issues posed by these microneedles such as pain, bleeding, and residual needles in the skin prevented their commercialization.
In the pursuit of safer technology, CosMED Pharmaceutical had the novel idea of creating needles from materials that occur naturally in the skin, such as hyaluronic acid and collagen, and used these materials to develop microneedles that dissolve in the skin. This brought innovation to the field of transdermal therapeutic systems (TTS).
CosMED Pharmaceutical then applied this technology to cosmetic products, which have a shorter development cycle than pharmaceutical products, and in 2008 established the world’s first*1 industrial manufacturing process for dissolving microneedles. Dissolving microneedles can deliver macromolecules to the stratum corneum, enabling an advanced level of self-care and creating a new market for microneedle cosmetics in the health and beauty domains.
Medical
| Specifications | 300–800 µm in length depending on the intended use |
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| Example applications | Migraine drugs, hair growth agents, vaccines, and extended-release drugs. |
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Cosmetics
| Specifications | 150, 200, or 300 µm in length depending on the intended use |
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| Example applications | The skin around the eyes, mouth, and lips, blemishes and wrinkles, hair growth agents, etc. |
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Non-dissolving Microneedles
Non-dissolving microneedles have a drug applied to the end of the needle and are made from polypropylene (PP) or other biodegradable polymers already in use in medical devices such as polyglycolic acid (PGA) and polylactic acid (PLA). Non-dissolving needles can be used to deliver high-priced drugs administered in small amounts or for vaccine delivery.
| Specifications | 300–900 µm in length depending on the intended use |
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| Example applications | Influenza vaccine, new drugs such as hepatitis C drugs, diabetes drugs, and osteoporosis drugs, and medical devices for dental anesthesia |
|---|
Original Designs and Original Technology
CosMED Pharmaceutical has developed its own range of original designs and technologies in the course of bringing further functional improvements to microneedles, improving their ease of use, and expanding their range of applications.
CosMED Pharmaceutical has been recognized for its advanced technology and originality, receiving international design awards and securing numerous patents.
Fujisan Needle
Medical
Cosmetics
Dissolving
Patches
Hyaluronic acid
Fujisan Needle is a unique microneedle design developed to maximize the functionality of dissolving microneedles. The name Fujisan Needle is inspired by a conical shape that resembles Mount Fuji. The utility of this design was recognized internationally in 2023 when it was awarded the iF Design Award, one of the three largest design awards in the world.
Collagen Microneedles
Cosmetics
Dissolving
Patches
Triple-helical collagen
Collagen microneedles are a microneedle technology that combines the triple-helix structure of collagen with hyaluronic acid. The triple-helix structure of collagen gives skin its firmness and elasticity, but is also extremely unstable and large in size, characteristics that do not lend themselves to skin penetration when in the form of a microneedle. Hyaluronic acid prevents collagen degradation, but hyaluronic acid and collagen are also poorly compatible and combining these molecules is a challenge.
In 2023, using its in-house R&D technology, CosMED succeeded in creating a microneedle formulation that combined triple-helical collagen with hyaluronic acid (patented). This technology offers a new approach to aging care*2 and has been applied in cosmetics product development. The functional longevity of the technology has also been verified in terms of moisturizing and other effects.
Taurine Crystal Microneedles
Medical
Cosmetics
Dissolving
Direct topical
Taurine
Taurine, an amino acid present in the skin, is crystallized into microscopic needles, after which multi-crystallization technology is used to encapsulate high-molecular-weight compounds in the needles. This process is the world’s first*3 dissolving microneedle molding technology.
Previously, dissolving microneedles had only been used in patch-type preparations that treated a specific area of skin. Taurine crystal microneedles can be formulated into liquids and creams, enabling treatment by direct application over a wider surface area, including the entire face. CosMED Pharmaceutical has patented both the technology used to crystalize taurine into needles and the technology used to encapsulate high-molecular-weight compounds inside these needles.
CosMED Pharmaceutical intends to apply this technology in the medical and pharmaceutical domains such as in the treatment of dermatological conditions including atopic dermatitis.
A Future with Microneedle Technology
CosMED Pharmaceutical is pursuing research that aims to develop vaccine patches based on microneedle technology.
Next-generation microneedle patch-based vaccines will allow the self-administration of vaccines by application of a simple patch, reducing the burden on healthcare professionals. Microneedle-based vaccine patches are simple to store and transport and are expected to revolutionize medical care in regions with limited access to healthcare, including during conditions that require large-scale vaccination programs such as infectious pandemics.
*1: From the Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Japan, published by The Academy of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Japan
*2: Moisturizes aging skin
*3: Patent 7327852 (Application 2022-204969)