Drug delivery trends from Paris: Bluetooth, patient centricity and disposable tech
Six companies were announced winners of Exhibitor Innovation and Health Product categories at PharmaPack Europe 2018 – a UBM event – in Paris, France this week. In-PharmaTechnologist brings you a round-up of the delivery tech leaders.
West Pharmaceutical Services’ SelfDose Patient-Controlled Injector was celebrated for its “ease-of-use and patient compliance” in the Exhibitor Innovation category.
The off-the-shelf drug delivery invention – compatible with 1ml long prefilled glass syringes – is designed to minimise pain compared to spring-based auto-injectors.
“Patient-centric features include a simple, two-step operation to deliver a subcutaneous injection, as well as audible and visual end-of-dose indicators to confirm successful administration of a prescribed dose,” vice president Erin O’Brien told us.
“A passive safety system covers the needle before and after injection to help prevent needlestick injuries to the patient and caregiver,” she added.
According to the firm, the injection rate can be controlled by the patient, and therefore adjusted according to the patient’s comfort level.
West Pharma is looking to partner with pharmaceutical firms to conduct drug filling and final assembly for the technology.
Bluetooth connected injection
BIOCORP’s motor driven disposable auto injector Onejet also won in the Exhibitor Innovation category, for “patient safety and convenience.”
Onejet’s motorisation can be adjusted to any biologics density, to easily deliver highly viscous drugs, said deputy chief executive officer Eric Dessertenne.
The technology is compatible with standard primary containers.
Once the patient activates the pairing system, Onejet’s Bluetooth capability can transfer injection data – including time, doses and date – to a mobile application for monitoring, he added.
sfm medical devices’ nextaro device, used to transfer lyophilised pharmaceutical components, was also awarded in the Exhibitor Innovation category for “patient centricity and customisation.”
‘No mess’ topical applicator
A ‘no mess’ applicator for anti-inflammatory over-the-counter drug Voltaren scored GSK Consumer Health an award in the Health Product category, alongside UCB Pharma and Laboratories Virbac.
‘Voltaren No Mess’ launched in Europe last year, and is designed to enable consumers to apply the pain relief gel without having to touch it, nor wash their hands after applying the topical solution.
“The real advantage for many people using this product is that you can apply it locally and it penetrates the skin,” said GSK’s Richard Slater at an investor event in November.
The mess and perceived hassle factor is using this product is a key barrier for a number of people, he added.
As a result, GSK Consumer Health invented a cap for the Voltaren range: “It has to be stable and it has to be safe, and still has to dose correctly,” he told delegates.
Drug delivery for hand dexterity issues
UCB Pharma’s CIMZIA Pack of 2 AutoClicks Prefilled Pens – recognised for patient compliance – is indicated for patients with hand dexterity issues, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
The button-free system has a wide, non-slip grip, and clicks loudly when the injection begins and ends.
In the EU, CIMZIA in combination with methotrexate (MTX) is indicated to treat adult patients with moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis, who are inadequately responsive to some anti-rheumatic drugs.
An ‘all-in-one’ Multidose Delivery Cap for the application of liquid products – developed by Laboratories Virbac – was also awarded in the Health Product category.
