TLDR · SCIENCE & FUTURISTIC TECHNOLOGY

THE ONE-SHOT DRUG THAT KEEPS ON DOSING

arstechnica.com12 min read

Summary from the TLDR newsletter

Scientists from Rice University have engineered drug-delivering microparticles that release their contents in timed delays that can span days or even weeks. The injections contain hundreds of tiny microplastic particles that each encapsulate a small dose of a drug. The microplastic particles are made of a polymer that breaks down safely in human bodies. Timing and dosage can be controlled by adjusting the molecular weight of the polymer used for each capsule. A long-active delivery strategy like this will help many people with chronic issues who are unable to follow their prescribed treatments.