ArrayPatch, a Cork-based biotechnology company founded by formulation scientist Dr. Waleed Faisal, is developing a pain-free, dissolvable microneedle patch named DerMap to deliver medications without conventional needles. The coin-sized platform technology aims to offer an alternative for patients experiencing trypanophobia, or fear of needles, while targeting treatments across multiple medical areas including diabetes, obesity, and skin cancer.
The Polymer-Free Mechanics of DerMap
Traditional dissolving microneedles are typically manufactured using silicon or polymers loaded with a therapeutic compound. According to Dr. Waleed Faisal, this conventional approach resembles a wall built from cement mixed with sand, where polymers act as the cement holding the medicine (sand) together. In contrast, ArrayPatch converts the medicine itself into a glassy substance that directly forms the structure of the needle. This polymer-free composition allows for a higher drug loading capacity while maintaining a minimally invasive profile.
The patented technology originated in 2018 as a research project at University College Cork focused on new ways of delivering medicine through the skin. By 2024, the concept advanced sufficiently for ArrayPatch to spin out commercially, with the goal of licensing and co-developing the platform alongside global pharmaceutical companies.
Clinical Targets and Therapeutic Pipeline
While the DerMap patch remains in development and awaits human testing, ArrayPatch has structured a phased rollout targeting large patient populations. The company’s initial focus centers on delivering GLP-1 medicines for obesity and type 2 diabetes management, providing patients with a self-administered alternative to regular injections. Subsequent pipeline applications include localized treatments for skin cancer and fungal nail infections, particularly addressing complications in diabetic patients.
Dr. Waleed Faisal stated that ArrayPatch is currently in the process of agreeing to a material transfer agreement with one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies to begin collaborative work on a GLP-1 patch. Over time, the company intends to expand the platform’s utility toward other peptides, small molecules, and biologics through strategic industry partnerships.
Funding, Manufacturing, and Timeline to Market
ArrayPatch has secured approximately €2 million in early-stage backing, which includes €1.4 million in pre-spinout research financing from the European Horizon program and Enterprise Ireland. In September, the company closed its first seed round of €3 million and projects a Series A funding target of €10 million in 2027. Operating with a team of seven staff members across Ireland, the UK, and the Netherlands, ArrayPatch has already secured a manufacturer to handle production requirements.
Human trials for the DerMap patch are scheduled for 2027, with a targeted commercial launch set for 2029. Dr. Waleed Faisal noted that the entire development timeline spans roughly a decade, reflecting the lead time inherent in biotechnology.