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Spray Shield Adhering to Transplant Organs Could Ease Lifelong Immunosuppressant Burden for Patients

Researchers at POSTECH and Ewha Womans University have created “Immune‑Shield,” a sprayable adhesive microgel that locally delivers immunosuppressive drugs onto transplanted organ surfaces. The mussel‑inspired coating adheres robustly in wet environments, providing sustained release and dramatically increasing graft survival in preclinical xenotransplant models, more than doubling it compared with conventional systemic therapy. By concentrating therapy at the graft site, Immune‑Shield minimizes systemic exposure, reducing toxicity and infection risk for transplant recipients. The technology could also be repurposed for wound care, tissue engineering, and localized cancer treatments.