Rani Therapeutics' Biologics Smart-Pill Passes First-in-Human Trial

Most people would prefer to take a pill over an injection, and even an injection over an infusion. But not all drugs can be taken orally. In particular, this applies to most biologics, including insulin. Rani Therapeutics, based in San Jose, Calif., announced the first human trial of its RaniPill, which is designed to replace injections of biologics. The company had already performed more than 100 studies in animals to deliver drugs like insulin and Humira. The reason most biologics can’t be injected is that they are too quickly and easily broken down in the digestive system. The RaniPill, a so-called “robotic pill,” is designed to perform the injection inside the body, into the intestine. The RaniPill has an enteric coating that protects itself from stomach acid. When the pill moves into the intestine, where the pH level is higher, the coating dissolves, causing a chemical reaction that inflates a balloon. The pressure in the balloon pushes a dissolvable microneedle containing the drug into the intestinal wall.