The Technology and Innovation-based Enterprise Development (TED) Fund has launched dissolvable microneedle patches and will administer them to people in remote areas, says TED Fund secretary Chanwit Treedej.
He said the local entrepreneur in Songkhla province, E C Next Co, Ltd, was granted funds from the "TED Youth Startup" project under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation.
The microneedle patch can deliver drugs or active compounds into the skin without leaving wounds or causing pain. They can replace the use of standard needles, said Mr Chanwit.
The microneedles are painless and would help people who are afraid of getting injections. They are also suitable for the transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents which boost and heal skin health. They are designed by nanotechnology which can contain nanocapsule agents dissolvable safely under skin layers, he said.
"Initially, we aim to distribute microneedles to people living in remote villages on mountains because it can be dangerous for them to travel through jungles to the city to see doctors when they fall ill. Our product can help minimise social gaps and improve their quality of life," added Mr Chanwit.
E C Next's managing director, Julintip Puttawong, said dissolvable microneedle patches can be put on injection sites, or wounds caused by diabetes or other diseases.
It will take 12–15 minutes for drug compounds such as hyaluronic acid to dissolve. The compounds are all clinically tested to ensure they don't cause any skin allergies.
Mr Julintip said the firm is applying the microneedle patches for Food and Drug Administration listing.