Researchers have long grappled with the challenge of ensuring medication adherence among patients—a critical component in the successful management of various diseases. With medication non-adherence causing approximately 10% of hospitalizations and contributing to billions in preventable healthcare costs, any advancement in drug delivery systems could significantly alter healthcare outcomes for patients. A recent breakthrough from a team of scientists at Rice University introduces a groundbreaking drug delivery platform that leverages a novel peptide hydrogel, promising not only to enhance adherence but also to potentially elevate drug efficacy across various therapeutic applications.
This innovative system, known as self-assembling boronate ester release or SABER, implements a sophisticated structure for drug delivery. By utilizing peptide-based hydrogels, the team has crafted a three-dimensional net capable of controlling the rate of drug release. The unique aspect of SABER lies in its employment of reversible chemical bonds between the peptide in the hydrogel and a specific chemical group on the drug molecule. While the system enables prolonged drug release, patients benefit from consistent therapeutic levels over time, reducing the burdens associated with frequent dosing.
In an impressive display of the system’s capabilities, the Rice team tested SABER with a tuberculosis medication in infected mice. The results were compelling. A singular injection of the drug-laden hydrogel proved to outshine nearly daily oral dosing over the span of two weeks. This finding alone illustrates the potential this new pharmaceutical technology has in significantly improving treatment efficiency and patient convenience. Similarly, experiments utilizing insulin demonstrated that SABER also offers continuous blood sugar regulation for diabetic mice, showcasing its versatility. Controlled insulin release lasted an astonishing six days, in stark contrast to the mere four hours provided by conventional administration methods.
SABER’s ability to exhibit a prolonged release of medication represents a critical advancement, particularly in the domain of highly time-sensitive treatments, such as insulin therapy for diabetes and anti-tuberculosis medications for patients in resource-limited settings. The major concern with conventional methods lies in patients’ difficulties with adherence to complicated treatment regimens, which can lead to suboptimal outcomes. By creating a system that simplifies dosing and enhances drug effectiveness, SABER stands as a solution to improving patient adherence—especially for chronic diseases requiring sustained medication intake over extended periods.
Brett Pogostin, the lead author of the study and a Ph.D. graduate from Rice, played a pivotal role in the development of the SABER platform. His interdisciplinary background in chemistry and bioengineering has been instrumental in bridging fundamental research with significant medical applications. As an undergraduate, Pogostin began exploring self-assembling peptides, which later became the foundation of his work in drug delivery mechanisms. His dedication and innovative mindset have not only advanced research at Rice but also contributed to tangible solutions for pressing health issues.
The inspiration for the SABER concept arose during Pogostin’s studies on dynamic covalent bonds utilized in glucose sensing during a drug delivery course. Learning about these bonds, which can reversibly form and break apart, sparked an idea in him to adapt this mechanism for a hydrophilic environment like hydrogels, leading to a major breakthrough in the patient-friendly administration of pharmaceuticals. The fundamental challenge addressed in this work is the rapid release of small drugs from conventional hydrogels, akin to trying to catch small fish with a net designed for larger species. By advancing this design into one that is “sticky,” the researchers could finetune release rates based on the temporary binding of drugs, thereby enhancing treatment outcomes.
To confirm the efficacy of SABER, the team executed rigorous experiments involving mouse models that are critical in drug development stages. Tuberculosis is known as a global health scourge, and the findings related to enhanced drug release promise to address the prevailing issues of access and adherence found predominantly in low-resource environments. Similarly, the hydrogel’s applicability for insulin delivery showcases a thoughtful approach to addressing the frustration faced by Type 1 diabetic patients who strive for consistent and effective blood sugar management.
The environmental friendliness of the SABER platform cannot go unnoticed. Since the hydrogel is composed of amino acids, it can break down naturally inside the body, forming a temporary structure that dissolves without producing harmful byproducts. This biocompatibility greatly enhances the utility of the platform as researchers worldwide strive to develop drug delivery methods that not only meet efficacy benchmarks but also prioritize patient safety.
Development from concept to the realization of the SABER platform necessitated a high degree of interdisciplinary cooperation. Collaboration extended beyond Rice, involving chemists who provided insights related to boronic acid interactions and experts from Johns Hopkins University who recognized tuberculosis as an essential application area. Researchers also faced various challenges, from custom measuring techniques for drug concentration in animal studies to optimization issues that required creative solutions. Such a diverse array of expertise and shared innovation exemplifies how collaborative efforts can drive significant advancements in scientific research.
As the research community continues to explore and refine the SABER platform, the implications for future medical applications are abundant. Both Hartgerink and McHugh, co-authors on the paper, emphasize the vast potential of SABER in areas such as cancer immunotherapy by controlling the timing and delivery of therapeutic agents—thereby minimizing adverse side effects commonly associated with conventional cancer treatments.
Moving forward, both Pogostin, who is now a postdoctoral fellow with noteworthy aspirations in cancer prevention research, and his collaborators aim to elevate the functionalities of the SABER system to enhance its real-world applications further. Their vision is to utilize advanced materials to prepare the immune system against cancer proactively, representing a paradigm shift in how we understand treatment methodologies.
This novel approach, bridging chemistry and bioengineering with innovative problem-solving strategies, holds the potential to improve not only the administration of existing drugs but also how new therapies are developed and delivered. Each advancement in drug delivery systems like SABER serves to illustrate the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of healthcare innovation, laying the groundwork for more effective, efficient, and patient-centered medical treatments.
With research endeavors continuously supported by well-established institutions such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, the future of drug delivery systems remains promising. The aim is to not only develop targeted therapies but to ensure that they operate within frameworks that improve treatment experiences for patients globally. The breadth of this research underscores a commitment to impacting public health profoundly and positively, resonating with aspirational goals across the healthcare spectrum.
Subject of Research: Drug Delivery Systems
Article Title: Nanofibrous supramolecular peptide hydrogels for controlled release of small molecule drugs and biologics
News Publication Date: 10-Sep-2025
Web References: Nature Nanotechnology
References: N/A
Image Credits: Photo by Gustavo Raskosky/Rice University
Keywords
Drug delivery, hydrogels, insulin, tuberculosis, peptide technology, patient adherence, therapeutic regimens, chronic disease management, biocompatibility, interdisciplinary collaboration, cancer immunotherapy, molecular engineering.
