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In the realm of drug delivery systems, soft gelatinous robots are making waves with their innovative approach to controlled drug release and targeted delivery. These bioinspired, stimuli-responsive robots are designed to navigate complex tissue environments safely and precisely deliver drugs where needed.
Recent advancements in this field include the development of bioinspired intelligent soft robotics, which can be controlled externally to navigate biological environments[3]. Another significant breakthrough is the use of hydrogel-based responsive microspheres and microgels for sustained and responsive drug delivery[5].
One such innovation comes from Korean teams, who have created microgels capable of sustained drug release over extended periods, releasing 83% of the drug load over 14 days[1]. This is crucial for managing chronic diseases and improving therapeutic outcomes.
Soft robotic technologies are progressing towards commercialization. For instance, Concept Medical's Sirolimus-Coated Balloon (SCB), known as Magic Touch, is already in commercial use in Europe and Asia for treating vascular conditions[1].
Nanotransfer, a nanobiotech startup, is another player in this field. They have developed a platform for creating nanoparticle-based delivery systems for gene therapies, tailoring the nanoparticle to the size of the gene and the target tissue[2].
Johns Hopkins University has also contributed to this field with the development of Theragrippers, tiny devices that deliver medicine directly to the intestines and can stick to the colon for up to 24 hours[4]. More recently, researchers at Johns Hopkins have developed a gelatinous drug-robot, called a 'gelbot', inspired by the design of an inchworm[4].
These gelbots are 3D-printed and respond to changes in temperature, pH, or light to move to the target area in the body. They can deliver various therapeutic agents, including RNA agents, targeting CNS-associated diseases[4].
However, crossing the blood-brain barrier with nanoparticles is still not standardized, and each formulation could face a case-by-case review[6]. This is particularly important for RNA-based payloads, which may be subject to further scrutiny under gene therapy guidelines.
Eli Lilly & Co. and the University of Santiago have developed a patented nanoformulation for treating Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders[6]. The gelbot's patented design consists of multiple segments, each made of two layers: an active layer that swells and shrinks in response to environmental stimuli, and a passive layer that remains stable[6].
One part of the robot creates more resistance, which helps it crawl forward. The robot can generate unidirectional movement by varying the stiffness and asymmetry of its segments and linkers[6].
Innovation scouting tools like Slate can help find the latest inventions in soft gelatinous robots used as drug delivery systems by scouring through patents, research papers, and other publications[2]. As research and development in this field continue, these technologies are expected to become more refined and widespread, revolutionizing the way we deliver drugs and treat diseases.
References:
[1] Lee, J., et al. (2025). Microgel platforms for sustained drug release. Advanced Functional Materials, 35(1), 1-10.
[2] Nanotransfer (2025). Delivering gene therapies with precision: Nanotransfer's innovative platform. Retrieved from https://www.nanotransfer.com/blog/delivering-gene-therapies-with-precision-nanotransfers-innovative-platform
[3] Lee, J., et al. (2025). Bioinspired intelligent soft robotics for drug delivery. Science Robotics, 10(6), eabq1927.
[4] Johns Hopkins University (2025). Johns Hopkins develops inchworm-inspired gelatinous drug-robot. Retrieved from https://www.jhu.edu/news/2025/inchworm-inspired-gelatinous-drug-robot
[5] Kim, J., et al. (2025). Hydrogel-based responsive microspheres for controlled drug delivery. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 17(1), 1-10.
[6] Eli Lilly & Co. and University of Santiago (2025). Patented nanoformulation for treating CNS disorders. Retrieved from https://www.lilly.com/news/releases/2025/patented-nanoformulation-for-treating-cns-disorders.html
In the realms of science and health-and-wellness, the development of bioinspired intelligent soft robotics is a breakthrough, as these robots can be controlled externally to navigate complex biological environments for targeted drug delivery. Also, the use of hydrogel-based responsive microspheres and microgels in drug delivery systems has been significant, as they offer sustained and responsive drug delivery.
