09.05.2025

Researchers at the National University of Singapore have developed two microneedle-based technologies that accelerate the healing of chronic diabetic wounds in preclinical studies.

Chronic, non-healing wounds are a serious complication for people with diabetes, affecting over six percent of the global population. In Singapore alone, these wounds lead to around four lower limb amputations per day.

Image: A gloved researcher handling a microneedle patch using laboratory tweezers; Copyright: National University of Singapore

Depending on the application, the patches can either deliver therapeutic agents —such as immune-modulating proteins — or extract harmful inflammatory compounds directly from the wound site, promoting faster and more effective healing.

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To address this widespread health challenge, a research team from the National University of Singapore (NUS), led by Assistant Professor Andy Tay, has developed two microneedle-based technologies. “Growth factors are important for wound healing because they regulate key cellular functions. However, in diabetic wounds, these growth factors are rapidly broken down by other enzymes known as proteases. This dramatically slows down wound recover,“ said Tay.

Approach 1: IL-4 microneedles to stimulate natural healing responses

The first approach focuses on sucralfate microneedles (SUC-MN) that deliver the immune-modulating protein interleukin-4 (IL-4) directly into the wound. IL-4 stimulates the body’s own production of growth factors and promotes tissue regeneration. Sucralfate, commonly used for gastrointestinal ulcers, helps protect these molecules from degradation.

Microneedles dissolve within the wound tissue.

Localized treatment minimizes systemic side effects.

The method avoids mechanical damage from traditional dressings.

In preclinical models, SUC-MN accelerated wound healing at twice the rate of standard treatments.

Approach 2: anti-inflammatory microneedles with heparin coating

The second solution utilizes heparin-coated porous microneedles (HPMN) to extract pro-inflammatory compounds and immune cells from the wound site. Chemokines, which attract monocytes and perpetuate inflammation, are effectively bound by heparin.

50 percent reduction in tissue inflammation after 14 days

90 percent wound size reduction by day 14

Unlike conventional therapies that act on the skin surface, HPMN can target inflammation deep within tissue, enabling more effective wound care.

Outlook for medical technology and wound management

The NUS team plans to refine both technologies. Future developments include 3D-printed microneedles with customizable pore sizes and antibacterial properties, as non-healing wounds are often prone to infections. They also aim to design flexible microneedle patches for application on various tissue contours.

“The two approaches developed by our team would provide much-needed relief for patients with diabetic wounds, as well as many patients suffering from skin conditions like atopic dermatitis or psoriasis,” said Assistant Professor Tay.

COMPAMED-tradefair.com; Source: National University of Singapore

More about the NUS at: nus.edu.sg