Expandable hydrogel device for gastrointestinal tract

WO2026074268A3PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-06-04KINGS COLLEGE LONDON
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
KINGS COLLEGE LONDON
Filing Date
2025-09-30
Publication Date
2026-06-04

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Current methods for delivering biologies across the gastrointestinal tract face challenges due to acidic and enzymatic degradation in the stomach and poor permeability of large molecules, limiting the effectiveness of oral administration.

Method used

An expandable hollow hydrogel tube is administered orally within an ingestible capsule, which expands in the gastrointestinal tract to exert a radial force on the tract lining, facilitating targeted delivery of large molecules by pressing against the mucosa and enhancing permeation.

Benefits of technology

The hydrogel tube enables the delivery of large molecules (>1000 Da) across the gastrointestinal tract mucosa, reducing the amount of agent needed and decreasing product costs while minimizing toxicity, with potential applications in therapeutic and diagnostic agents.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a device comprising an expandable hollow hydrogel tube encapsulated by an ingestible capsule to enable the targeted delivery of large molecules such as biologics to the gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa. Upon ingestion, the capsule is arranged to release the hydrogel tube in the GI tract, where the hydrogel tube expands from a first configuration to a second configuration upon hydration. In its expanded state, the hydrogel tube exerts an outward radial force on the lining of the GI tract. In some embodiments, the outward-facing surface of the hydrogel tube comprises microneedles. The invention further relates to a hydrogel resin comprising: gelatin or poloxamer 407; a neutralisation agent; acrylic acid or sodium acrylate; a crosslinker; a photoinitiator; and a photoabsorber. The hydrogel tube of the invention may be produced by bioprinting and photo-crosslinking said hydrogel resin.
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