Hydrogel for Drug Delivery

Hydrogels are hydrophilic polymers that undergo crosslinking and can be found in both natural and synthetic forms. Due to their well-established biocompatibility, hydrogels are extensively utilized as drug carriers in the field of drug delivery. Matexcel has acquired expertise in employing hydrogel techniques and platforms for drug delivery. In the following section, we will provide a concise overview of the utilization of hydrogels in drug delivery.

Introduction to Drug Delivery

A drug delivery system (DDS) refers to a formulation or device that aids in the introduction of therapeutic substances into the body, improving their effectiveness and safety through precise regulation of drug release rate, timing, and location. This process involves administering the therapeutic product, controlling the gradual release of active ingredients from the product, and subsequently facilitating their passage across biological membranes to reach the desired target area.

Utilization of Hydrogels for Drug Delivery

Hydrogels are networks that expand in water and consist of polymers, proteins, small molecules, or colloids. They offer a versatile platform for delivering drugs because they can enclose and safeguard medications while providing controlled release at specific times and locations. Consequently, they have garnered considerable research attention for administering both small active compounds and biopharmaceuticals.

• Smart Gels
  The study of hydrogels has advanced from inactive frameworks to intelligent materials that can modify their behavior in response to one or multiple stimuli, either individually or combined. Responsiveness is advantageous in the field of pharmaceutical release as it enables precise and targeted administration of drug payload.   

• 3D Printing of Hydrogels
  3D printing(3DP, also referred to as "additive manufacturing"), allows for the creation of intricate three-dimensional objects using computer-aided design (CAD). The fabrication of complex tissues using 3D printing in combination with hydrogels involves the deposition of various cell types within a single structure. The utilization of 3D printing enables the fabrication of patient-specific implants, scaffolds, or drug-loaded structures with precise manipulation of their geometries.

Fig. 1 Design and 3D fabrication of biodegradable hydrogel micro robotic swimmers. (Vashist A, et al., 2014)

• Hydrogel-Based Microneedles
  The microneedle arrays (MNs) made of the hydrogel are produced using a micro moulding technique in silicone molds with blends of water-based polymers. These MNs do not contain any medications, but when applied to the skin, they undergo expansion and form porous channels filled with water. Through these channels, drugs from a reservoir layer can diffuse and reach the microcirculation in the dermis, thereby improving the transdermal delivery of various molecules for systemic absorption.

Fig. 2 Schematic of GelMA-based MNs for sustained drug delivery. (Vashist A, et al., 2014)

The Hydrogel Development Services We Provide 

With professional equipment and experienced specialists, Matexcel provides high-quality chemical/biochemical stimuli-responsive hydrogel development services, physical stimuli-responsive hydrogel development services, multi-stimuli-responsive hydrogels development services, and hybrid hydrogel development services. Please contact us for more information.

Reference

1. Vashist A .; et al. Recent advances in hydrogel based drug delivery systems for the human body. J Mater Chem B. 2014;2(2):147-166.