Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, October 8, 2026
Victory Square Technologies Inc. has announced that its portfolio company, Insu Therapeutics Inc., has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for a patent application covering its investigational needle-free peptide drug delivery technology. The milestone supports the development of InsuTab™, a buccal insulin formulation, and BuccaGLP™, a buccal semaglutide formulation. Both programs are designed to deliver peptide medicines through the inner lining of the cheek, potentially offering an alternative to conventional injectable administration. The patent allowance strengthens the intellectual property foundation for the platform, although formal patent issuance remains subject to payment of the required fee and completion of outstanding formalities.
Patent Allowance Advances Needle-Free Drug Delivery
The patent application, U.S. Patent Application No. 18/513,373, is titled “Mucoadhesive Pharmaceutical Dosage Form for Unidirectional Release of Peptide Therapeutic Particles.” The technology involves a layered dosage form designed to adhere to the inner cheek and direct the release of a peptide medicine toward the underlying tissue. This approach is intended to support absorption through the oral mucosa rather than relying on gastrointestinal absorption after swallowing. Insu Therapeutics holds an exclusive worldwide licence from the University of British Columbia (UBC), granting it rights to develop, commercialize, market and sublicense the licensed technology globally. The patent allowance advances the company’s intellectual property position as it works to translate university-developed research into potential therapeutic products.
The platform’s initial development programs include InsuTab, an investigational buccal insulin formulation, and BuccaGLP, an investigational buccal semaglutide formulation. Insulin is used in diabetes management, while semaglutide is a GLP-1 medicine used in metabolic disease. Applying a common delivery platform to these peptide medicines could provide opportunities for further development and potential licensing or co-development partnerships. However, a Notice of Allowance is not the same as an issued patent, and the final scope of protection will depend on the claims granted. The patent milestone also does not establish the safety, efficacy or regulatory approval of either candidate.
InsuTab and BuccaGLP Target Patient Convenience
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Insu Therapeutics is developing its buccal delivery technology to address practical challenges associated with administering peptide medicines. Injectable therapies require needles and related supplies, while some swallowed peptide formulations have specific dosing requirements involving food, beverages or other medicines. According to the company, its buccal formulations are designed to avoid needles and do not require fasting or restrictions on food and drink before or after dosing. These potential convenience benefits remain subject to further evaluation as the individual candidates progress through development. The scientific rationale for the platform is supported by research published in Pharmaceutics in September 2023. The publication, titled “Concept for a Unidirectional Release Mucoadhesive Buccal Tablet for Oral Delivery of Antidiabetic Peptide Drugs Such as Insulin, Glucagon-like Peptide 1 (GLP-1), and their Analogs,” describes the underlying concept for delivering peptide medicines through the buccal route. Insu has also reported completing laboratory, cell-culture and rat studies at UBC as proof-of-concept work for its buccal insulin program. Further studies are required to establish the performance, safety and efficacy of InsuTab and BuccaGLP in their intended uses. Neither product is currently approved for commercial sale.
Hydreight Partnership Supports Potential U.S. Distribution
Victory Square also highlighted the role of Hydreight Technologies Inc., which previously disclosed a C$300,000 strategic investment in Insu and exclusive U.S. distribution rights for peptide therapeutics using Insu’s buccal technology. These rights are subject to successful product development and the necessary regulatory approvals. Hydreight operates healthcare infrastructure connecting physicians, pharmacies and patients across the United States. If Insu’s candidates complete development and receive the required approvals, this infrastructure could support future U.S. distribution, subject to appropriate product-specific prescribing, pharmacy, manufacturing and operational arrangements. Victory Square described the patent allowance as an important milestone for its portfolio company and its strategy of supporting emerging technology businesses. The next steps will depend on continued development, regulatory progress, patent issuance and potential commercial partnerships.
Source: Victory Square Technologies press release
