Pharmacokinetic differences between subcutaneous injection and intradermal microneedle delivery of protein therapeutics.

Protein therapeutics are essential in the treatment of various diseases, but most of them require parenteral administration. Since intravenous and subcutaneous injections are associated with discomfort and pain, other routes have been investigated including intradermal microneedle delivery. Microneedles are shorter than hypodermic needles and therefore minimize contact with pain receptors in deeper skin layers.