Patients suffering from chronic conditions often require continuous drug injections, which can be painful and often inconvenient. To address this, South Korean researchers have developed new wearable microneedles inspired by bee stings.

These electrospun web microneedles (EW-MNs) deliver drugs continuously through the skin without causing discomfort. In animal models, the system enhanced drug absorption while ensuring comfort—offering a safer and convenient alternative to conventional needle systems.

Neurological diseases affect millions of people worldwide, creating a significant need for long-term patient-friendly treatments. While needle-based injections are the standard for most therapies, regular drug injections can often be painful and inconvenient. Microneedles—tiny, micron-sized needle systems—are a promising alternative to conventional needles and offer a pain-free way to deliver medicines. Most existing microneedles, however, are rigid and can cause discomfort during prolonged use, which therefore limits their adoption in long-term use.

To overcome this challenge, South Korean investigators have designed a new microneedles system inspired by the natural mechanism of a bee sting. Led by Professor Dr. Wonku Kang and colleague Dr. Sohee Jeon from the College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University in collaboration with Dr. Jun-Ho Jeong from College of Medicine at Chung-Ang University, the team developed wearable “Electrospun Web Microneedle (EW-MNs)” based patches that enable long-term and continuous drug delivery through the skin. The study was made available online in Advanced Healthcare Materials over the summer.

“Unlike traditional rigid microneedles, which can cause irritation during prolonged use, our EW-MNs are soft, breathable, and remain anchored to the skin just like a bee stinger,” Dr. Kang explained.

To fabricate the EW-MNs, the researchers used an electrospinning process (a technique that uses an electric field to spin very fine polymer fibers) to create a web of nanoscale fibers on metal microneedles. This resulted in a fibrous layer around the microneedle tips that mimic the barbed structure of a bee sting. Consequently, the microneedles anchor securely into the skin and ensure a steady attachment for continuous drug release. The EW-MNs were then attached to an adhesive tape and a backing layer to form a patch.

To test the patch’s efficacy, the team loaded the EW-MNs with a drug commonly used to treat Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease (rivastigmine). In animal studies using guinea pigs, the microneedle patches significantly improved rivastigmine absorption—releasing more than twice the drug and covering a five-fold larger area compared to conventional approaches. Importantly, this was achieved while maintaining minimum discomfort; any mild skin irritation that occurred disappeared quickly upon removing the patch.

“With further development, these EW-MNs could revolutionize drug delivery, allowing patients to receive effective long-term treatments without the fear or discomfort of needles!” Dr. Kang said.

The team aims to extend the applications of EW-MNs in the future beyond neurological diseases, offering medicated patches for a wide range of other chronic disorders. This approach also holds value for elderly patients, children, and cases where safety and patient compliant treatments are urgently needed. Overall, the study demonstrates the way in which nature can drive innovations.

Chung-Ang University is a private research university in Seoul, South Korea, dedicated to shaping global leaders for an evolving world. Founded in 1916 and achieving university status in 1953, it combines academic tradition with a commitment to innovation. Fully accredited by the Ministry of Education, CAU excels in fields such as pharmacy, medicine, engineering, and applied sciences, driving impactful discoveries and technological progress. Its research-intensive environment fosters collaboration and excellence, producing scholars and professionals who lead in their disciplines.

Dr. Wonku Kang is a professor at the College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University in South Korea. With more than 167 research publications, his research mainly focuses on optimizing drug delivery to target organs and tissues using novel dosage forms and unique concepts. He actively collaborates with researchers and industry partners to develop advanced therapeutic solutions that improve patient outcomes.