A Tiny Implant, Two Years of Relief? Yes, Really

MIT’s dissolvable implant could end the cycle of repeat injections with up to two years of steady drug delivery.

31 Mar 2025

MIT scientists have developed a biodegradable implant that may eliminate the need for frequent injections, delivering a steady dose of medication for as long as two years from a single shot.

The implant, no larger than a grain of rice, is injected under the skin using a standard needle. Once inside the body, its drug crystals self-organize into a dense depot that gradually breaks down, releasing medication at a reliable pace. And when it’s done, it dissolves harmlessly with no surgery required.

For millions living with chronic conditions, from diabetes to hormone disorders to substance use recovery, this could be a game-changer. Existing long-acting treatments typically last only a few weeks or months. The MIT device promises to stretch that window dramatically, potentially transforming how patients manage long-term care.

Part of what makes the innovation so promising is its elegant simplicity. There are no pumps, electronics, or refills. Just a slow, chemical trickle designed to mirror the body’s own rhythms. Early lab tests suggest it maintains a remarkably consistent dosage, a crucial feature for regulatory green lights and clinical trust.

“Fewer injections mean better adherence, and that leads to better outcomes,” said one senior medical researcher not involved in the project.

The pharmaceutical industry is already paying attention. The implant could offer drugmakers a way to refresh existing therapies by improving how they’re delivered, a major plus in a market now leaning hard toward patient-friendly designs.

Though human trials are still ahead, the early results point to a future where managing chronic illness doesn’t have to mean living by a calendar of injections. If the tech holds up, it could quietly reshape the standard of care, one tiny implant at a time.