A small, pen-like device developed by researchers and engineers is quietly promising a big shift in how patients in the UAE may receive life-saving medicines — especially cancer drugs — with far less pain, fewer side effects and greater precision.

The technology, called “aDose Core,” is a next-generation drug delivery system designed to administer ultra-micro doses of medication directly to targeted areas of the body, rather than flooding the bloodstream.

For patients who currently endure repeated injections, IV drips or invasive procedures, this could mean gentler treatment, fewer hospital visits and faster recovery.

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At its heart is an electro-osmotic pump — a system that uses electrical current to move tiny amounts of liquid through membranes with extreme accuracy.

This allows drugs to be delivered at a consistent flow rate, down to nanolitre levels, making it especially valuable for sensitive applications such as oncology, ophthalmology and regenerative medicine.

Abhishek Choudhary, India Business Manager at atDose Co., Ltd, told Khaleej Times that existing syringes — even advanced insulin pumps — are still mechanical at heart. “This, which is a protype currently, has a revolutionary technology,” he said, explaining that the new system is not based on physical pressure but on electrical flow.

A representative of atDose

He described how conventional syringes rely on manual force to draw and inject liquid, which makes precise dosing difficult. In contrast, the new system “is based on the principle of electro osmosis,” using electricity rather than hand pressure to control the movement of drugs.

This core technology, he said, comes from a patented ceramic component developed by Japanese scientist Dr Mamoru Hirafuji, which enables liquid to move forward or backward depending on electrical polarity — allowing both suction and injection in a single device.

“When you put electricity in there… it creates a polarity, and electron gets dissociated within the channel of this ceramic,” Choudhary explained, describing how the microscopic pores inside the ceramic allow ultra-controlled fluid movement.

Precision that could change patient outcomes

Unlike regular syringes, where dosage depends on finger pressure, needle size and drug thickness, Choudhary said the new system allows doctors to control flow purely through voltage.

“With this, you can go up to .05 micro liters of drug,” he said, adding that this level of micro-dosing can dramatically reduce drug usage and side effects — especially in chemotherapy.

He said this precision matters most when drugs are expensive or harsh on the body. “In case of chemotherapy, the health effects of the drug is very high, so patient discomfort is something which is critical,” he said, adding that direct delivery to the tumour site could minimise damage to healthy tissue.

Addressing unmet needs in the UAE

The UAE, which has invested heavily in oncology and eye care, is seen as a key market for this technology. Choudhary said ophthalmology is one of the most urgent use cases, particularly for diabetic retinopathy patients at risk of blindness.

“Regular syringes cannot reach till retina,” he said, explaining that the new system can use ultra-fine, long needles to deliver drugs directly to the retina — something not currently possible with standard injections.

In oncology, the team is already testing the technology in breast cancer, where drugs can be delivered directly to the tumour site. “Regular needles cannot reach and even if they reach, they cannot push it in a way that it should be,” he said.

Importantly, he added, the system does not require new needle designs — existing needles can still be used.

Designed for real-world clinical use

Choudhary explained that the device has two main parts — an electrical syringe and an electronic control unit — allowing clinicians to control voltage, flow and dosage at the press of a button.

“This is detachable,” he said, noting that parts of the system can be sterilised while others, such as the charging component, remain separate.

Future models will include advanced chips, improved reservoirs and potentially battery-powered versions — though sterilisation remains a challenge for fully self-contained systems.

“This will help with precision at site, and highly controlled delivery,” he said, stressing that the device is not meant to replace regular syringes but to address unmet medical needs.

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