L-11：A Non-Contact, Non-Invasive Technology for Intradermal Delivery of Macromolecules

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＜L-11＞：Life Science, Medical Devices sdgs-03
 

A Non-Contact, Non-Invasive Technology for Intradermal Delivery of Macromolecules
― Widespread Skin Penetration of Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetic Ingredients Using an “Electric Bath” ―

Kentaro Kogure Professor
Department of Pharmaceutical Health Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical Science
Keywords Microcurrent, electric bath, intradermal delivery, skin disease therapy, skin care
Laboratory URL https://www.tokushima-u.ac.jp/ph/faculty/labo/esi/
Research Overview
● Non-Invasive Intradermal Delivery Technologies Are Needed for Skin Disease Treatment and Skin Care
For the fundamental treatment of skin diseases such as psoriasis (approximately 400,000–600,000 patients in Japan) and atopic dermatitis (approximately 1.25 million patients in Japan), it is necessary to deliver highly specific nucleic acid therapeutics and moisturizing agents such as hyaluronic acid into the skin. Intradermal delivery of cosmetic moisturizing agents, including hyaluronic acid, is also required to improve skin wrinkles and elasticity.
However, the stratum corneum acts as a strong barrier to molecular penetration, and safe and efficient technologies for intradermal delivery of macromolecules are highly demanded.

● Technical　Challenge: Development of a Wide-Area Skin Penetration Technology for High-Molecular-Weight Substances　Solution: An Electric Bath Using Microcurrent
Iontophoresis, a transdermal drug delivery technique using microcurrent (0.3–0.5 mA/cm²), has attracted attention (Figure 1). However, conventional iontophoresis is limited to drug delivery directly beneath the attached electrodes, making widespread skin delivery impossible.
To overcome this limitation, we developed a non-invasive and non-contact technology in which electrodes are installed on the walls of a water tank filled with an electrolyte solution (an “electric bath”). A hydrogel containing macromolecules is applied to the skin, and the subject is immersed in the electric bath while a microcurrent is applied. This enables efficient and widespread intradermal delivery of macromolecules over a large skin area.
 
Potential Applications and Commercialization Prospects

● Treatment of Skin Diseases and Skin rejuvenation via Intradermal Delivery of Macromolecular Therapeutics and Cosmetic Agents using an Electric BathIn studies using mice, we have successfully achieved intradermal delivery of fluorescently labeled dextran (molecular weight: 10,000) and hyaluronic acid (molecular weight: 20,000–30,000) using the electric bath system (Figure 2).
For skin disease treatment, this approach can be applied by immersing the entire body　below the neck in a　solution containing agents such as NF-κB decoy oligodeoxynucleotides, followed by the application of a microcurrent.
For skin rejuvenation, cosmetic ingredients such as hyaluronic acid can be delivered into the skin by immersing the limbs (primarily the hands) in the water tank and applying a microcurrent, thereby improving skin function.

L-11-1.png

Figure 1. Iontophoresis		 L-11-2.png
Green indicates fluorescently labeled hyaluronic acid / Skin tissue section

Figure 2. Intradermal delivery of fluorescently labeled hyaluronic acid using an electric bath
Patents ● Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-98727
“Compositions for skin electrical conduction and their applications.”

Last updated date：October 15, 2026

 

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