Innovative Exploding Capsule Technology Enables Needle-Free Insulin Delivery Using Sodium Bicarbonate

Georgia Tech researchers have developed a groundbreaking oral capsule capable of delivering insulin and other injectable medications without the need for injections. This innovative pill harnesses a simple chemical reaction of water and sodium bicarbonate to create internal pressure, causing the capsule to explode and release its medication directly into the small intestine. Unlike complex mechanical devices, this capsule contains no moving parts, batteries, or stored energy, making it inexpensive and easy to produce at scale.

The capsule is built from gelatin, similar to conventional pills, but is designed to withstand the harsh environment of the stomach thanks to ultraviolet light treatment. Once swallowed, the sodium bicarbonate reacts with gastric fluids, generating a rapid puff of high-velocity drug particles. This jet of medicine effectively bypasses the intestinal mucus barrier, allowing for efficient absorption into the bloodstream while protecting the drug from digestive enzymes.

This technology is particularly promising for protein-based drugs like insulin, semaglutide (sold as Ozempic and Wegovy), antibodies, and growth hormones, which traditionally require injection due to poor oral bioavailability. Current oral formulations, such as Rybelsus, see less than 1% absorption, requiring higher drug doses and reducing efficiency. The new capsule aims to increase absorption rates, potentially lowering doses and cost.

Led by Professor Mark Prausnitz, the research team emphasizes the capsule’s simplicity and manufacturing compatibility. Typical animal studies demonstrate that this capsule can regulate blood sugar levels comparably to injected insulin, marking a significant step forward in non-invasive diabetes management. The team is now working to optimize drug absorption levels and extend this technology to other therapeutics.

Prausnitz’s prior work on skin microneedles inspired this gastrointestinal application, utilizing high-pressure jetting akin to needle-free injections. The capsule’s mechanism mimics a tiny explosive device, rapidly ejecting drugs into the intestinal tissue, overcoming barriers that limit oral drug delivery.

This innovative approach not only has the potential to replace painful injections but could revolutionize the administration of a broad range of biologics, offering a safer, more convenient, and accessible treatment option for millions worldwide.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-capsules-insulin-needle-sodium-bicarbonate.html