Needle-Free Peptide Therapies: Capsules, Nasal Mists & Buccal Strips in 2025

Needle-Free Peptide Therapies: Capsules, Nasal Mists & Buccal Strips in 2025

Until recently, peptide therapy meant one thing - injections. For years, subcutaneous or intramuscular delivery was the only reliable route because peptides are fragile molecules that degrade quickly in the digestive system.

But in 2025, the landscape is changing fast. New needle-free delivery systems - including oral capsules, nasal mists, and buccal strips - are emerging, driven by innovations in absorption technology. These advances are making peptides more accessible, comfortable, and personalized than ever before.

Here’s what’s driving this transformation, how these methods actually work, and what Regen Therapy expects in the next wave of peptide innovation.

Why Needle-Free Delivery Matters

1. Accessibility

Fear of needles is one of the biggest barriers to peptide adoption. Needle-free delivery expands access to patients who otherwise avoid injections.

2. Compliance

Daily or weekly dosing becomes simpler and more consistent when it’s as easy as taking a capsule or nasal spray.

3. Precision

Modern delivery systems can target specific tissues or absorption sites, leading to steadier peptide levels and reduced variability.

4. Innovation momentum

Following the success of oral semaglutide (Rybelsus®) - enabled by the SNAC absorption enhancer - pharmaceutical R&D has poured resources into finding similar solutions for other peptides.

The Challenge Peptides Present

Peptides are chains of amino acids too large to cross cell membranes easily. The GI tract is designed to digest them, not absorb them. The same barriers - acid, enzymes, and poor permeability - also limit nasal and buccal routes.

Needle-free systems therefore rely on technologies that temporarily modify local conditions (pH, permeability, enzyme activity) or protect peptides inside carriers long enough to reach circulation.

The 2025 Needle-Free Peptide Landscape

1. Oral Capsules with Absorption Enhancers

Technology Example: SNAC (used in oral semaglutide), GIPET™, and lipid nanoparticle carriers.

How it works:

• Protects peptides from stomach acid and enzymes.

• Alters local pH or membrane permeability in the stomach or small intestine.

• Enables small but consistent peptide absorption (0.5–3%).

Peptides in development:

• GLP-1 and GLP-2 receptor agonists

• MOTS-c analogs for mitochondrial health

• Oxytocin and vasopressin derivatives for mood and stress

Key takeaway: Oral peptides are now clinically viable for potent, stable molecules. Over the next five years, expect oral delivery to expand beyond metabolic drugs into regenerative and cognitive peptides.

2. Nasal Mists (Intranasal Delivery)

Technology Example: Cyclodextrin and chitosan-based carriers; microfine atomizers for even dispersion.

How it works:

• Peptides are absorbed through the nasal mucosa, entering systemic circulation or even crossing directly into the central nervous system via the olfactory nerve.

• Ideal for smaller, neuroactive peptides that act quickly and require low doses.

Peptides currently studied:

• Selank & Semax: For focus, stress, and cognitive support.

• DSIP: For sleep modulation.

• Oxytocin: For mood regulation and social bonding.

Advantages:

• Rapid onset (minutes instead of hours)

• Avoids first-pass liver metabolism

• Allows brain access for neuropeptides

Challenges:

• Absorption varies with nasal health and spray technique.

• Stability requires refrigeration and airtight delivery systems.

3. Buccal Strips and Dissolvable Films

Technology Example: Mucoadhesive nanofilm delivery - similar to dissolvable vitamin or medication strips.

How it works:

• Peptides are embedded in polysaccharide or polymer films that stick to the inner cheek or under the tongue.

• They dissolve slowly, releasing peptide molecules directly into the bloodstream via the oral mucosa.

Peptides under exploration:

• AOD-9604 (fat metabolism)

• MOTS-c analogs

• GLP-1 derivatives (microdose maintenance)

• Thymosin Alpha-1 (immune modulation)

Advantages:

• Completely needle-free and discrete

• Controlled absorption with less day-to-day variability than nasal sprays

• Portable and ideal for travel or maintenance phases

Challenges:

• Limited peptide size (<2 kDa) for efficient absorption

• Heat and humidity sensitivity during storage

What This Means for Providers and Patients

For Providers

• Expect more patient-friendly delivery options to improve adherence.

• Needle-free formulations may allow lower, more frequent dosing instead of bolus injections.

• Pharmacy partnerships will shift toward specialized compounding of oral and mucosal delivery systems rather than injectables alone.

For Patients

• The convenience of capsules, nasal sprays, and strips will make peptide therapy less intimidating.

• Wider adoption will come with clearer dosing protocols and fewer barriers to entry.

• However, precision still matters - these forms require the same clinical oversight as injectables to ensure bioavailability and purity.

What’s Driving the Shift in 2025

1. Advances in formulation chemistry: Carriers like SNAC, cyclodextrin, and chitosan now allow safe transient permeability without long-term mucosal damage.

2. Patient demand: Consumers expect needle-free, portable options for wellness therapies.

3. Pharma investment: Billions in R&D are flowing into oral biologics and small peptides.

4. Regulatory tailwinds: The FDA’s 2025 guidance on peptide classification streamlines development for small-chain therapeutics.

The Regen Therapy Perspective

Regen Therapy has tracked this innovation wave closely - from the first oral GLP-1 tablet to the growing interest in buccal peptide delivery for metabolic and cognitive health.

Our precision philosophy applies here too:

• Every delivery method must match the peptide’s stability and target tissue.

• Oral and mucosal forms are chosen for convenience, not hype.

• We prioritize purity, compounding compliance, and measurable outcomes regardless of delivery route.

This next era of peptide medicine isn’t about convenience alone - it’s about integrating technology, safety, and personalization to make regenerative therapies more accessible and sustainable.

Key Takeaways

• 2025 marks a turning point for needle-free peptide delivery - with oral, nasal, and buccal systems becoming practical and effective.

• Oral capsules use absorption enhancers like SNAC to protect and deliver peptides.

• Nasal sprays allow rapid systemic or brain access for small neuropeptides.

• Buccal strips offer a discreet, steady, and patient-friendly delivery option.

• These innovations expand access but must be guided by precision dosing and clinical oversight.

FAQs

Are oral or nasal peptides as effective as injections?
Not yet for most peptides, but technology is improving. Some highly potent molecules (like semaglutide) already work orally.

Can peptides be taken as supplements now?
Most “oral peptide” supplements online lack proper delivery technology and are not bioavailable.

Which peptides are most promising for needle-free use?
MOTS-c, AOD-9604, GLP-1 derivatives, and neuropeptides like Selank and Semax.

Are these methods FDA-approved?
A few, like oral semaglutide, are approved. Others remain in clinical development or compounding contexts.

When will these be widely available?
Expect broader pharmacy access and practitioner adoption between 2025–2027 as clinical data accumulates.

References

1. Buckley ST, et al. Enhancing oral peptide bioavailability: From SNAC to next-generation carriers. Sci Transl Med.

2. Thorne RG, et al. Intranasal peptide delivery to the CNS: Mechanisms and clinical prospects. Pharm Res.

3. Brayden DJ. Mucoadhesive and buccal systems for biologic delivery. Nat Rev Drug Discov.

4. FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. 2025 guidance on peptide therapeutics and oral biologics.