The skin is often described as the body's first line of defence—but under the right conditions, it can also serve as a controlled pathway. Transdermal delivery allows certain compounds to pass through the skin and enter circulation, offering an alternative to oral intake. For individuals with digestive impairments or malabsorption issues, this represents more than convenience; it offers a potential lifeline. Our work focuses on the feasibility of this route—investigating its limitations, its advantages, and its untapped possibilities.
Transdermal delivery bypasses the gastrointestinal system and first-pass metabolism, enabling direct absorption into the bloodstream. In theory, this reduces variability, improves bioavailability, and sidesteps many of the challenges that come with oral or injectable administration. In practice, it's complex. The skin’s structure is designed to resist penetration, and successful delivery depends on the size, charge, and solubility of the molecule—as well as the carrier and formulation.
The best-known transdermal technologies today are limited to small, lipophilic drugs. But advances in formulation, skin modelling, and in vitro testing are expanding that scope. At Dermisorb, we study the movement of solutes and small molecules across synthetic and biological membranes—without the use of human or animal subjects. Our goal is not to develop commercial products, but to understand what is possible.
“We believe the skin is more than a barrier—it’s a system. And systems can be understood.”
Our current research uses ex vivo skin models and synthetic analogues to explore the diffusion behaviour of various compounds under different experimental conditions. We are particularly interested in how formulation variables—carrier systems, hydration, concentration—affect the consistency and efficiency of delivery.