Joint Center of Excellence for Health Biotechnology Research and Application (SABIOTEK) researchers have developed a 3D-printed microneedle patch system that enables the direct delivery of drugs to the tumor site for the treatment of melanoma, one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer. The invention received a Gold Medal and the WIIPA Special Award at EUROINVENT 2026.

An innovative technology developed by researchers at the Joint Application and Research Center of Excellence in Health Biotechnology—a collaboration between Yıldız Technical University, Marmara University, and Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa— (SABİOTEK), offers a new approach to the treatment of melanoma, one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer.

Led by Yıldız Technical University Professor Dr. Cem Bülent Üstündağ and involving researchers from Marmara University and Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, focuses on 3D-printed microneedle patch technology that enables drugs used in cancer treatment to be delivered directly to the tumor site.

A Targeted Approach to Melanoma Treatment

The hydrogel-based microneedles developed in the project titled “3D-Printed Microneedle Patch for the Treatment of Melanoma via Synergistic Chemotherapy and Photothermal Therapy” combine chemotherapy and photothermal therapy on a single platform. The goal is to deliver drugs to the target area in a controlled manner, thereby increasing treatment efficacy and reducing systemic side effects.

The system developed by the researchers offers significant advantages in terms of patient comfort, as it can be applied without the need for surgical intervention and enables the direct delivery of cancer drugs to the tumor site.

Two separate patent applications have been filed as part of this study, which includes significant innovations in the fields of biomaterials, drug delivery systems, microneedle technologies, and cancer treatment. The patent registration processes are currently ongoing.

Double Award at EUROINVENT 2026

Demonstrating the international visibility of research conducted in the field of healthcare biotechnology in Turkey, the project was awarded a Gold Medal by an international jury at EUROINVENT 2026—one of Europe’s largest innovation exhibitions—held in Iași, Romania, on May 28–30, 2026 —European Exhibition of Creativity and Innovation—held in Lași, Romania, from May 28–30, 2026. The project was also awarded the World Union of Inventors and Intellectual Property Associations (WIIPA) Special Award. 

This achievement highlights the research capabilities of Turkish universities in the fields of biomedical technologies, biomaterials, drug delivery systems, and tissue engineering, while also demonstrating the international interest in innovative technologies developed in the healthcare sector.

About SABİOTEK

The Joint Application and Research Center for Excellence in Health Biotechnology (SABİOTEK) is a joint research center operating in collaboration with Yıldız Technical University, Marmara University, and Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa. Aiming to develop innovative technologies in the field of health biotechnology, the center conducts interdisciplinary research in numerous areas, primarily focusing on biomaterials, tissue engineering, drug delivery systems, and biomedical technologies.