The Science Behind Turning Needles Into Pills

Researchers race to make complex injectable drugs work in pill form.

24 Oct 2025

In drug labs from California to Tokyo, scientists are chasing what once seemed impossible: turning injectable biologics into swallowable pills. The latest effort involves Rani Therapeutics and Japan’s Chugai Pharmaceutical, but the real story lies in the science driving the idea.

Biologic drugs are large and delicate molecules such as antibodies, and they usually fall apart in the digestive system before reaching the bloodstream. That is why patients with chronic or rare diseases often rely on regular injections. Finding a way to deliver these drugs orally would be a major scientific breakthrough, transforming how advanced medicines are made and taken.

Rani’s approach centers on its RaniPill capsule, which contains a tiny injector inside. After it is swallowed, the capsule travels safely through the stomach and releases the drug in the small intestine, where absorption is most effective. “Patients often struggle with injectable therapies,” said Rani CEO Talat Imran. “Oral alternatives could improve adherence and quality of life.”

The science is still tough. Researchers must ensure the drug remains stable, the release is precisely timed, and the capsule can be manufactured reliably. Chugai’s expertise in antibody design adds valuable insight as the two teams test how far the RaniPill platform can go.

The project reflects a wider movement in pharmaceutical research: creating treatments that are easier and more comfortable for patients. Rani’s recent $60.3 million private placement, led by Samsara BioCapital, gives the company fresh resources to advance trials and refine the technology.

If scientists can solve the chemistry and engineering puzzles, oral biologics could move from ambition to reality. Pills that replace syringes would not only simplify treatment but could also redefine the limits of modern drug delivery.