The South Korean biotech company QuadMedicine has consecutively published its next-generation drug microneedle delivery platform technology, the 'MAP Series (S-MAP, D-MAP, P-MAP),' in international journals.

The MAP Series commonly utilizes a microneedle-based biomaterial structure to enable painless self-administration. It is evaluated as a platform that meets the core needs of the global pharmaceutical industry, such as room temperature storage, rapid absorption, and immune response induction.

According to QuadMedicine, the first platform in the MAP Series, S-MAP (Separable Microneedle Array Platform), is designed to safely deliver the JAK inhibitor Baricitinib locally. Previously used orally with concerns about systemic side effects, this technology selectively delivers to target areas through a hyaluronic acid-based microneedle structure, resulting in a 2.6-fold improvement in hair regeneration in alopecia areata compared to existing methods.

This platform is not limited to alopecia areata treatment. S-MAP can be expanded to treat psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and other autoimmune inflammatory diseases requiring sustained intradermal release, potentially developing into a joint development pipeline with global pharmaceutical companies needing a local JAK inhibitor strategy. The study was published in Carbohydrate Polymers (IF 12.5).

The second platform in the MAP Series, D-MAP (Dissolvable Microneedle Array Platform), is a technology designed to structurally stabilize HPV16 virus-like particles (VLP) and induce a rapid and efficient immune response through the oral mucosa. By utilizing the rapid absorption characteristics of mucosal tissue, it enables both local and systemic immune response induction and long-term immune memory formation.

D-MAP's structure does not require refrigeration, making it effectively applicable in low-resource countries lacking cold chain infrastructure. This aligns with the health partner strategies of the Gates Foundation, Gavi, and WHO to globally distribute the HPV vaccine, and microneedle-based vaccine delivery technology is classified as a global priority innovation technology (VIPS). D-MAP has laid the foundation to be recognized as an optimized technology platform for collaboration with global vaccine partners. The study was published in Advanced Healthcare Materials (IF 9.6).

The third platform technology, P-MAP (Preservable Microneedle Array Platform), is a platform that solidifies mRNA-LNP formulations for efficient delivery in vivo. It ensures stability even at room temperature, allowing long-term distribution without refrigeration, and dissolves rapidly in the body after administration to induce a strong immune response.

P-MAP is gaining attention as a strategic technology capable of rapid distribution and self-administration system establishment during public health crises like pandemics requiring large-scale vaccination. Currently, this platform is under joint research and development with global pharmaceutical companies, exploring its application in mRNA-based next-generation vaccines and therapeutic pipelines. This is a key example of QuadMedicine's technology expanding beyond individual product development to a platform strategy with global partners. The study is scheduled to be published in the September issue of the European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics (IF 4.3).

Baek Seung-gi, CEO of QuadMedicine, stated, "These studies are all practical achievements premised on technology commercialization," adding, "With room temperature stability, self-administration, and linkage with GMP processes secured, we plan to actively pursue domestic and international technology transfers and clinical expansions."

Currently, QuadMedicine is conducting joint research with numerous domestic and international pharmaceutical companies to commercialize drug delivery technology through the skin and is also pursuing the expansion of clinical and manufacturing partnerships in the future.

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