Swiss researchers are taking inspiration from octopus suckers for a new, non-invasive method of delivering biopharmaceuticals, reports Science Translational Medicine.

A major problem with many biopharmaceuticals, despite their good efficacy, is that they have to be administered by injection because of their high molecular weight and relative instability. When administered orally, they often break down too quickly. There are devices that inject the drugs directly into the gastrointestinal mucosa, but these have not yet proven to be robust and safe.