A joint research team from King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (Kax) and the University of California San Diego succeeded in developing a multi -part smart capsule capable of carrying and launching several drugs at specific times during the day, to open new horizons in the field of personal medicine and improve patients ’experience.
The capsule relies on a programmed launch mechanism that allows the drugs to be given in accurate doses and in different timing, within one capsule.
It is expected that this innovation will contribute to raising the rates of commitment to treatment, especially in patients who need more than one medicine daily, which is reflected in the effectiveness of treatment and the quality of the life of patients.
The capsule that obtained an American patent, contains smart polymerical barriers that separate the drugs from each other, release them according to the patient’s needs, as well as special capabilities to relieve pain or urgent response when needed.
This approach reduces the possibility of pharmaceutical interventions, doses missing, or exposure to excessive doses, which are common problems that affect half of chronic patients globally, according to World Health Organization estimates.
Dr. Amal Abbas, head of the research team in “Kax”, says: “Our goal is to simplify the drug management by ensuring the benefit of the appropriate medication at the appropriate dose and timing, which reduces waste and increases the pharmaceutical commitment.”
She added that the initial clinical tests showed promising results, especially among Parkinson’s patients, as the capsule helped improve the response to symptoms control.
The benefits are not limited to patient health only, but also extend to health systems, as innovation is expected to reduce the costs associated with drug abuse by up to 20%, and reduce the operational burdens of hospitals by up to 8%, and this trend corresponds to the Saudi Vision 2030 targets in promoting medical innovation and raising health care efficiency.
The research team is currently working on organizational procedures to move to the pre -clinical testing stage, in preparation for the wide clinical trials.
The researchers hope that this innovation will occur in the next few years a shift in the experience of patients by simplifying the intake of daily medications and improving the quality of care.
