Rice University researchers develop implantable 'living pharmacy'

The system, detailed in Science Advances, utilizes engineered protein producers (EPPs) encased in a specialized biomaterial. This design overcomes the common hurdle of foreign body responses, which typically trigger inflammation and scar tissue that inhibit traditional cell therapies. By protecting the engineered cells, the device maintains consistent drug production while allowing physicians to adjust dosages or terminate treatment by removing the implant.

Duracyte is currently advancing the platform toward clinical trials, which are expected to begin in 2027. The technology is modular, meaning the same human cell line can be programmed to produce diverse antibodies for oncology, infectious diseases, and autoimmune conditions. Omid Veiseh, a professor of bioengineering at Rice and the study's corresponding author, likened the potential impact to reusable rockets in aerospace, suggesting that internal production could drastically reduce the costs and logistical burdens associated with manufacturing and repeated administration of biologic medicines.