Microneedle Technology Overview

Compare dissolving, coated and swelling microneedle technologies and review the formulation, delivery and manufacturing considerations for each pathway.

Comparison of dissolving, coated and swelling microneedle technology principles — Illustrative comparison of three microneedle technology classes. Technology selection requires project-specific assessment.

Each microneedle class presents different formulation, dose, release, product-use and manufacturing considerations. Technology selection should begin with a project-specific feasibility assessment.

Dissolving Microneedles

Water-soluble or biodegradable needle matrices can incorporate payloads and gradually dissolve after insertion to release them.

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Coated Microneedles

A solid microneedle supports a payload-containing surface coating that releases after insertion, while the needle body is typically removed intact.

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Swelling Microneedles

Crosslinked hydrophilic needles absorb fluid after insertion and form hydrated transport pathways while generally retaining structural integrity for removal.

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REAL PLATFORM EVIDENCE

Microneedle Structures Developed Across the Platform

Selected morphology images illustrate different microneedle structures explored within the CASMN research platform. Structure, formulation and performance are defined for each project.

Representative microneedle morphology images from the CASMN technical archive.

Representative coated, dissolving and swelling microneedle structures from the CASMN technical archive

Technology Selection

Technology selection depends on payload properties, target dose, release requirements, intended use and manufacturing constraints.

Three Technology Pathways

Use the detail pages below to review how each microneedle system works, what it can support and which development questions must be evaluated.

Technical Review — Reviewed by: CASMN R&D Team · Last reviewed: August 2026.

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