Small business research team develops low-cost reusable intradermal drug delivery device 

The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), today announced a commercially viable intradermal microneedle drug delivery device designed for home use. The project that developed this device is part of ARPA-H’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) initiative to propel high-impact biomedical research and development from U.S. small businesses to contribute toward the agency’s mission of better health outcomes for all Americans.    

ARPA-H SBIR project awardee, Satio, Inc., developed Digital SatioRx, a low-cost, remotely controllable, disposable microneedle intradermal drug delivery device able to deliver any FDA-approved, liquid intradermal drug to a patient instantaneously. The device is intended to be used under a health care provider’s supervision. Digital SatioRx is telehealth-enabled and remotely mirrors an in-office visit, allowing health care providers to safeguard patient compliance while reducing costs and shifting care to the home. The device’s delivery system combines emerging technologies including easy application, telehealth and electronic health record integration, intradermal dosing using hollow non-dissolving microneedles that avoid pain receptors, and a cost-effective reusable injector.  

“In just 18 months, ARPA-H’s small business investment has accelerated this technology with tremendous potential gains for patients,” said ARPA-H Acting Director Jason Roos, Ph.D. “This device can give people more choice in their health care, including those in rural areas who need frequent self-administered injections for chronic disease management like diabetes. This revolutionary, affordable, market-generating product represents the type of technical and commercial innovation only ARPA-H can deliver for all Americans.” 

Guided by the ARPA-H model, which accelerates innovation, this SBIR project awardee has built a microneedle platform capable of delivering any liquid intradermal compound, met regulatory milestones, and developed biopharmaceutical partnerships under the management of ARPA-H Program Manager Ross Uhrich, DMD, MBA. 

Uhrich commented, “Prior to this SBIR award, there wasn’t a market for intradermal drugs designed to treat a range of chronic diseases, and there wasn’t a platform to reliably address those diseases from the comfort of one’s home. With the Digital SatioRx device and strategic partnerships, we’ve created a new market for the safe, affordable, at-home treatment of a myriad of chronic diseases for millions of Americans. Now a future exists where individuals can reliably treat their diseases under direct health care supervision in their homes, reducing risk and costs while improving quality of life. This historic, first ARPA-H project to translate to the market clearly demonstrates the return on investment that can be uniquely generated with the agency’s strategic capital and management.” 

ARPA-H operates differently from traditional research agencies and uses flexible contracts instead of grants to actively steer research toward practical solutions and reallocate resources based on results. Funding is time-bound and determined by aggressive milestones and metrics. This approach ensures taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and effectively. Satio, Inc.’s commercial, manufacturing, regulatory, and strategic progress within this SBIR contract laid a framework for downstream translational success. Upon conclusion of ARPA-H funding, Satio, Inc. is now able to continue towards broad market creation and adoption of the Digital SatioRx device in collaboration major biopharmaceutical companies to improve the lives of patients suffering from a range of chronic diseases across cardiometabolic, autoimmune, and oncologic conditions.