A Needle-Free Future? This Biotech Thinks So

Sethera's tech aims to deliver peptide drugs by pill, cutting out injections and improving chronic care.

21 Jun 2025

Sethera Therapeutics, a US-based biotech firm, is advancing a technology that could enable peptide drugs to be taken orally, a long-standing goal in pharmaceutical development.

The company’s approach centres on stabilising peptides, short chains of amino acids used in treatments for conditions such as diabetes and hormone disorders, so they can survive digestion. Peptide drugs typically require injection because they degrade in the gastrointestinal tract.

Sethera uses a water-based enzymatic cross-linking method that strengthens the peptides themselves, avoiding the need for protective coatings or chemical enhancers. The process is designed to preserve therapeutic integrity while reducing reliance on synthetic additives.

“Imagine taking your GLP-1 medication just once a month,” said Karsten Eastman, Sethera’s chief executive. The GLP-1 drug class, widely used in diabetes and obesity care, is currently administered via injection.

A $3mn funding round in January and academic validation from the University of Utah in May have helped to draw attention to the firm’s platform. While rivals are also working on oral peptide delivery, Sethera’s method is seen by analysts as more scalable due to its simplicity and alignment with sustainable manufacturing practices.

The firm’s approach could have broader implications for drug access and adherence. Oral medications typically require less complex supply chains and are more acceptable to patients, particularly in chronic care settings.

However, technical and regulatory hurdles remain. Variability in absorption through the gut and the challenge of meeting efficacy standards could delay clinical adoption.

Still, the sector sees promise. As global demand grows for patient-friendly drug formats, Sethera’s technology may offer a route to replacing some injectable therapies with more convenient alternatives.

If successful, the development could mark a shift in how peptide therapies are delivered, offering patients greater ease without compromising effectiveness.