"e-Pille": The future of oral drug therapy

We all know it: wintertime is cold season and cough or headache tablets are often part of everyday life. But our gastrointestinal tract absorbs medication differently. In the project “e-Pille”, scientists from the Fraunhofer Institutes ITMP, EMFT and IZM are investigating where in the gastrointestinal tract different active substances are best absorbed. The aim is to optimize the formulation of new drugs when taken orally. 

In the past, elaborate and uncomfortable intubation studies were the only way to obtain results in the deep gastrointestinal tract. These procedures required complex techniques and a lot of time. Although, electronically controlled capsules offered an alternative, but they were too large and difficult to swallow.

Fraunhofer researchers aim to reduce the capsule to the size of a multivitamin tablet. Additionaly, innovative miniaturization techniques will ensure precise and reliable dosing of the test medication.

Based on the research results, Fraunhofer researchers are developing a smaller electronically controlled capsule that triggers the release of a test medication at the desired location in the gastrointestinal tract through an electronic signal. This increases permeability, enhances the therapeutic potential of the medication, and improves its effectiveness when taken orally.

The name of the research project “e-Pille” describes the two main features: the electronic control of the positioning and release of the test substance, as well as the simple ingestion of a normal-sized pill.

After the validation of the "e-Pille" for permeability studies, the next step will be to further develop the electronic control of the active ingredient release to adapt the release pattern of a medication to its therapeutic goals and pharmacodynamic properties. The implementation of this phase will sustainably improve oral drug therapy.

The “e-Pille” is based on a modular system with plug-in modules for different functions. There are two versions: the “Research Pill” (10 mm x 27 mm) for precise drug dosing in studies and the Pharma Pill” (7 mm diameter) for daily medication dosing for patients. While the “Research Pill” consists of a fluidic half and an electronic half,  the “Pharma Pill” is produced more simply and cost-effectively. A study on this is planned until the end of 2024. Additionaly, the researchers are also investigating the environmental impacts and developing a life cycle model.

The following Fraunhofer Institutes are cooperating in the “e-Pille” project:

• Fraunhofer IZM: Electronics development, microintergation of the electronics; assembly and packaging of the pill; radio connection and gateway with software
• Fraunhofer EMFT: Fluidic part (DOS) of the pill and pH-Isfet (SiD)
• Fraunhofer ITMP: Pharmacological preliminary studies, in-vitro experiments, animal experiments.

Find out more about the "e-Pille":

E-pills: A new approach to diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal conditions

“e-Pille“ – An innovative approach to tracking drug ab-sorption and optimizing drug therapy