The NIH’s Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) awarded Satio the $3.5 million in September 2023. This contract aimed to help the company develop SatioRx, its intradermal drug delivery device. The compact, inexpensive device features disposable microneedle components for precise delivery. It remotely enables the delivery of a precise, metered dose of any liquid drug approved for transdermal delivery.
Satio designed the device to provide stable, controlled delivery through the hollow microneedle (HMN) array. The approach combines a reusable motor-driven applicator with a low-cost disposable. This disposable houses a standard drug cartridge, an adhesive patch, microneedles and a Go/No-go pressure sensor and NFC antenna. It accepts a range of sizes between 1 mL and 5 mL.
With the controllable motors and sensors, users can configure the device’s applicator to deliver a variety of drug types. Viscosities can reach up to 100 cP via intradermal and subcutaneous routes of administration. Satio says its approach addresses the challenges of autoinjectors, which have limited ability to increase volume or viscosities. Such standalone devices are also thrown away after use, while Satio’s remotely controllable injection device has a reusable element (since it’s used weekly or monthly).
Satio completed the contract’s required work in 18 months. It included verification adn validation testing, culminating in successful live animal trials. The company also executed short run manufacturing lots, FDA meetings toward a premarket application and multiple letters of intent.
“We are grateful for the leadership and support of ARPA-H in this contract that enabled our Satio team to deliver two first-in-the-world innovation proof points: a remotely controlled drug delivery episode and the automation of intradermal delivery,” Namal Nawana, executive chair and founder of Satio said. “These accomplishments mark important progress in the journey to decentralize care and address chronic disease.”
