Intradermal Administration Improves the Kinetics of Faster-Acting Fiasp® Insulin

Abstract

Fiasp® (insulin aspart, Novo Nordisk) is a faster-acting injectable insulin formulation that is administered subcutaneously (SC) for blood glucose management. We hypothesized that intradermal (ID) administration could improve the pharmacokinetic profile of Fiasp® when compared to traditional SC injection. Herein, we describe a simple, scalable and cost-effective hollow microneedle platform to evaluate the effects of ID administration on Fiasp® pharmacokinetics. Three groups of 8 rats received 1 IU/kg by SC injection or by ID injection using either a single or quadruple microneedle projection design. Blood was collected from 5-240 mins post-injection and assayed for insulin (ELISA, Crystal Chem) and blood glucose (hand-held glucometer) concentrations. The results (below) show that plasma insulin levels were comparable for all groups with mean values ranging from 464 to 480 µU/mL. Yet, the peak plasma concentrations were 1.5-3-fold earlier for rats treated using the microneedle designs. This preliminary data suggests that ID injection of Fiasp® using these novel hollow microneedle designs results in faster absorption and thereby could lead to a more rapid onset of action. Disclosure S. Ranamukha: None. I. Mansoor: Stock/Shareholder; Self; Microdermics. K. Feng: Employee; Self; Microdermics Inc. B. Stoeber: Other Relationship; Self; Microdermics Inc.. M. Wehbe: None. R. St Clair: Employee; Self; Microdermics Inc. C. Piche: Employee; Self; Locemia Solutions. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Locemia Solutions. Consultant; Self; Microdermics Inc. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Diasome Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Bigfoot Biomedical. J. Moreau: Consultant; Self; Microdermics.