Novel Biodegradable Suction Patch Enables Sustainable Peptide Delivery Through the Cheek

Traditional peptide therapies often require frequent injections due to their poor oral bioavailability and rapid degradation in the digestive system, leading to issues with patient compliance and discomfort. While transdermal patches offer an alternative, the skin's barrier properties limit peptide absorption. Transbuccal delivery, through the inner cheek lining, presents a promising non-invasive route, bypassing first-pass metabolism (where drugs are metabolized by the liver before reaching systemic circulation) and offering direct access to systemic circulation. However, achieving sustainable and efficient peptide delivery via a non-irritating, biodegradable transbuccal system has remained a significant challenge.

The biodegradable suction patch demonstrated remarkable efficacy in sustained peptide delivery. In vitro studies confirmed a controlled and prolonged release profile, with the patch delivering its payload consistently for up to 24 hours. In vivo, the patch achieved a relative bioavailability of approximately 88% compared to intravenous injection, significantly surpassing typical oral peptide delivery (often <10%). The suction mechanism ensured stable adhesion to the buccal mucosa for the entire 24-hour delivery period, with a detachment rate of less than 3% even during normal oral activity. Furthermore, histological analysis of the buccal tissue after 72 hours of continuous application showed no significant signs of irritation or inflammation, with tissue integrity scores comparable to untreated controls (p>0.05).