UMD-Developed Sprayable Hydrogel Could Conquer Drug Delivery Challenges

University of Maryland engineering researchers have developed a first-of-its-kind sprayable hydrogel that could transform how medicines are delivered to the lungs, nose and similar tissues.

The research from the Fischell Department of Bioengineering and Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices was selected for the cover of the journal Biomaterials Science last month.

The study focused on mucosal tissues, which line the eyes, lungs, gastrointestinal tract and reproductive system. Because of their accessibility to clinicians and rich blood supply, these tissues are often ideal routes for delivering therapies for various diseases and conditions throughout the body. 

But because they have the natural capability to flush away contaminants and foreign substances within minutes—a defense against infection and other injury—mucosal tissues can effectively wash away medications as well, creating a major challenge for long-lasting drug delivery.

UMD’s search for a solution was led by bioengineering Associate Professor Gregg Duncan, bioengineering Assistant Research Professor and Fischell Institute Young Investigator Fellow Taj Yeruva, and Professor Peter Kofinas, chair of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. 

The Duncan Lab developed a new hydrogel composed of water and polyethylene glycol, a safe and widely used polymer. When sprayed in liquid form, the gel sets within 30 seconds, forming a soft, adhesive patch that clings to the mucosal surface and steadily releases medicine. 

Unlike conventional nasal sprays that dissolve within hours, the team demonstrated that its hydrogel could remain in the nasal cavity of mice for up to a week, holding therapeutic compounds in place long enough to maximize their effect.

“Many conditions affecting the lung require therapies delivered directly to these tissues, but it has been difficult to achieve treatments that last long enough to be effective,” Duncan said. “We developed a biomaterial that not only stays in place but also safely degrades over time, providing extended drug release exactly where it is needed.”

The study showed that the hydrogel is flexible and effective at carrying different types of medicines. It steadily delivered protein-based drugs over several hours and was able to keep nanoparticles in place for much longer, lasting at least a full day in lab tests and up to a week in the nasal cavity of mice. 

The gel’s structure allows smaller drugs to move out slowly while holding larger particles until the material naturally breaks down. The hydrogel’s firm adhesion is a key advantage for use in the lungs and other areas where medicines are often cleared away too quickly. The material was able to repair itself after being stretched or stressed, regaining its strength without losing effectiveness. 

The lab’s decision to focus on nasal delivery was shaped by insights gained through the National Science Foundation’s I-Corps program, a $15 million multi-institutional hub led by UMD in the mid-Atlantic region, where pharmaceutical industry leaders emphasized the need for improved intranasal drug delivery systems.

Duncan’s team is now developing a specialized spray device to optimize delivery of the hydrogel, supported by a UM Ventures Medical Device Development Fund grant. Beyond respiratory health, the researchers see potential for broader applications, including women’s and reproductive health, where similar challenges with mucosal drug delivery persist.