Delivering large-molecule medicines through the skin is one of the greatest challenges in drug development. The skin’s outermost layer—the stratum corneum—is remarkably effective at blocking external agents, making it nearly impossible for complex biologics to be absorbed without physical disruption.
TransE™ is our game-changing platform that temporarily modulates the skin barrier in a precisely controlled manner. It allows developers to adjust penetration depth based on therapeutic goals—without invasive techniques or permanent disruption of the skin. TransE™ opens new possibilities for delivering advanced treatments such as gene therapies, regenerative molecules, antibodies, vaccines, and aesthetic actives, using familiar formats like patches, films, or gels.
Exosomes have long been difficult to deliver through topical application because of their relatively large size. At 50 to 150 nm in diameter—which corresponds to a molecular weight of roughly 750 to 2250 kDa—exosomes are 5 to 15 times larger than a typical antibody.
Our data shows that TransE™ can enhance the penetration of exosomes into both the epidermis and dermis, overcoming this long-standing limitation. Because lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) used for mRNA vaccines share a similar particle size (around 80 nm), TransE™ also holds promise for improving LNP skin delivery. This introduces the exciting possibility of truly non-invasive, transdermal mRNA vaccination.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is known for its superior moisture retention, but its large size (around 800 kDa) prevents it from penetrating beyond the skin’s surface when applied topically. To reach the dermis for deep hydration, improved elasticity, and structural support, it has been necessary to inject HA. TransE™ offers a new solution. We have shown that TransE™ can deliver high molecular weight HA into the dermis without needles, enabling its use in functional aesthetic treatments, anti-aging therapies, and regenerative medicine.
