Reformulated antibodies could be injected for easier treatment

MIT Technology Review

by Anne Trafton

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Injecting antibody treatments directly with a standard syringe—a long-standing goal in medicine—has taken a significant step forward thanks to researchers led by Professor Patrick Doyle. Currently, antibody therapies for conditions like cancer require intravenous infusions over hours, often necessitating hospital visits. However, Doyle’s team has developed a novel method to concentrate antibodies into a form that can be administered with a standard syringe, offering greater convenience and accessibility for patients. The challenge in delivering antibodies via injection lies in their concentration: they must be diluted to avoid overly thick solutions that cannot be injected. In 2023, Doyle’s lab made progress by encapsulating antibodies into hydrogel particles, but this required centrifugation, a hurdle for large-scale manufacturing. Their latest innovation bypasses this limitation using a microfluidic approach. By suspending antibody-containing droplets in an organic solvent and dehydrating them, the researchers created highly concentrated solid antibody particles embedded in a hydrogel matrix. This method simplifies production and results in formulations that are easier to inject. The new formulation achieves concentrations high enough for therapeutic doses while remaining injectable. Testing revealed that the force needed to push the plunger of a syringe filled with the solution was just under 20 newtons—well within comfortable limits for patients. A single two-milliliter syringe can deliver over 700 milligrams of antibody, sufficient for most treatments. Furthermore, these formulations remain stable for at least four months when refrigerated, ensuring reliable storage and transport. This breakthrough matters because it could transform how antibody therapies are administered, reducing the burden on healthcare systems and improving patient outcomes by making treatments more convenient and accessible. For readers interested in AI and technology, this advancement highlights the potential of innovative manufacturing techniques to revolutionize medical care. The researchers are now focused on testing the new formulations in animal models and scaling up production for broader use.

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Originally published on MIT Technology Review on 2/24/2026