How the octopus inspired a new method of drug delivery

The rubber suction cup, just slightly smaller than a 1 cent (euro) coin, is filled with medication and then stuck to the inner cheek for the drug to release. — ETH Zurich/TNS

Not all medications are effective if taken in pill form.

For example, large-molecule drugs made of peptides or proteins, such as insulin, have to be administered via injections because of this.