Dissolving microneedle patches (DMNPs) are an emerging transdermal platform designed to overcome the barrier function of the stratum corneum while retaining the convenience of a patch and avoiding the discomfort and sharps waste associated with conventional injections. In a DMNP, microscopic projections composed of water-soluble or biodegradable materials contain or carry the active pharmaceutical ingredient. After application, the projections penetrate the superficial skin layers and dissolve or disintegrate in response to tissue fluid, depositing the payload within the skin. This approach can improve access to compounds that show inadequate passive permeation, including selected peptides, proteins, vaccines, nucleic-acid cargos and potent small molecules.

Recent literature has expanded the field from proof-of-concept delivery toward disease-specific systems, combination delivery and more sophisticated material and fabrication strategies. At the same time, translation remains constrained by drug-loading capacity, dose uniformity, mechanical strength, skin insertion variability, stability, manufacturing scale-up, sterilization, packaging and the absence of fully harmonized regulatory expectations. This review discusses the design principles, materials, fabrication methods, mechanism of action, characterization, therapeutic applications, advantages, limitations and future development of DMNPs. Particular attention is given to the balance between needle mechanical integrity and rapid dissolution, formulation stability, dose reproducibility and clinically relevant manufacturing. DMNPs therefore represent a promising but still developing technology whose successful translation will depend on robust quality-by-design approaches, standardized performance testing and evidence that demonstrates reproducible clinical benefit.