So what are ‘needle pills’ and why would doctors use them?

A tortoise has inspired an experimental drug-delivery device
MIT injection pills
Image courtesy of the researchers.

Monoclonal antibodies have revolutionised therapy for autoimmune disease and cancers, but the downside is they require injection or IV infusion.

Patients prefer swallowing a pill, and because of this, doctors may delay initiation of injectable biologics, resulting in suboptimal treatment, researchers say.