"Robotic Pill" can safely deliver injectable osteoporosis drug, finds study

A proven and effective medication for osteoporosis, which is currently only available as an injection, can be administered orally using a novel "robotic pill," finds a new study presented Saturday at ENDO 2023, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in Chicago, Ill.

This study provides the first clinical evidence of safe and successful delivery of the osteoporosis drug teriparatide through an oral robotic pill, reported Arvinder Dhalla, Ph.D., and team. Data from this study are very encouraging and should give hope to those suffering from chronic conditions that require painful injections, like osteoporosis, that an oral alternative could be on the way.

The Phase I study of 39 healthy women evaluated the safety, tolerability and movement through the body of the robotic pill known as RT-102, containing a dose of the drug teriparatide (PTH 1-34). Teriparatide is a synthetic form of the natural human parathyroid hormone. It has been in clinical use for decades as an injectable medication.

Study participants were divided into three groups. Two groups received either a lower or higher dose delivered with the robotic pill, and the third group received a standard injection of teriparatide. Fluoroscopic imaging was used to track the robotic pill through and out the body. Drug concentrations were measured in blood samples collected over six hours. The study found the bioavailability (the ability of the drug to be absorbed and used by the body) of the drug delivered by the robotic pill was comparable to or better than the drug given via the injection.

“This breakthrough technology of converting injections into oral pills is a significant step forward towards ending the burden of painful injections for millions of patients suffering from chronic diseases,” Dhalla concluded.

Reference: Study finds “robotic pill” can safely deliver injectable osteoporosis drug; MEETING

ENDO 2023, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting