Adopting neuroscience-based human factors methods could yield better outcomes for patients, improved communication design and engineering teams, and maybe even help companies build IP. The methods behind assessing human factors in medtech are outdated—and they’re due for an upgrade, said Charles Mauro CHFP, of Mauro Usability Science. “The type of research employed to determine if […]
Auto-injectors
Meet the insulin-makers and device companies developing smart insulin pens
The global market for connected insulin pens could be worth up to $123 million by 2023, according to a report published this year by Research & Markets. Insulin pens, designed for people who control their diabetes with multiple daily injections instead of a pump or wearable patch, are portable devices that were first introduced in 1985 with […]
Mylan: Generic competition pushes EpiPen sales down
Mylan (NSDQ:MYL) revealed in its annual report yesterday that EpiPen sales in the U.S. were down $655.4 million last year compared to 2016. The company, which faces continued backlash over the price of its emergency allergy treatment, cited the launch of a generic version of its device, higher governmental rebates and increased competition as reasons for […]
EpiPen shortage in Canada to last until March
Pfizer Canada (NYSE:PFE) has warned Health Canada that there is a shortage of 0.3 mg EpiPen auto-injectors due to a manufacturing disruption. The company, which licenses the emergency allergy treatment from Mylan (NSDQ:MYL), reported that the problem should be resolved by March 2. There are no alternative auto-injectors available on the market in Canada for patients at […]
FDA approves Kaleo’s allergy auto-injector designed for infants
The FDA has approved Kaleo‘s Auvi-Q epinephrine auto-injector designed to treat life-threatening allergic reactions in infants and small children, according to the privately-held biopharma company. The device, which Kaleo touts as the first of its kind, was given priority review by the FDA. The 0.1 mg Auvi-Q auto-injector has a shorter needle and a lower […]
Amgen launches Enbrel Mini single-dose cartridges with reusable auto-injector
Amgen (NSDQ:AMGN) announced today the U.S. launch of its Enbrel Mini single-dose prefilled cartridges, which are delivered using a reusable AutoTouch auto-injector. The drug-device combination was designed with a needle that stays hidden during injection and a sensor to detect placement on the skin. Amgen’s latest product uses a new drug formulation of Enbrel, an injectable […]
EMD Serono wins FDA nod for redesigned pen injector
Merck KGaA‘s biopharma biz, EMD Serono, said today that it won FDA approval for a redesigned version of its Gonal-f RFF Redi-ject pen injector. The device, which was first approved in 2013, is designed to inject follitropin alfra to induce ovulation and pregnancy in oligo-anovulatory women. The newly-designed pen was evaluated in a simulated-use study involving […]
West Pharma reveals new wearable SmartDose injectors
West Pharmaceutical Services (NYSE:WST) unveiled two new wearable injectors today from its SmartDose drug delivery platform as part of the annual PDA Universe of Pre-filled Syringes and Injection Devices meeting in Vienna, Austria. West’s first-gen SmartDose device is a user-loaded injector designed to deliver high volumes of viscous drug products. Its SmartDose Gen. II device is […]
Meet 5 companies developing novel drug-delivery devices
At the 7th annual Partnership Opportunities in Drug Delivery event, presented by The Conference Forum, device companies gathered to tout their drug-delivery technologies and learn from each other’s mistakes and successes. Among them were needle-free injectors, patch pumps, auto-injectors and other novel delivery devices. Moderated by Pfizer‘s (NYSE:PFE) senior director of device strategy, Mathias Romacker, […]
Biologics & auto-injectors: How West Pharma designs for evolving trends in drug delivery
If you’ve ever received a flu shot or taken insulin, you’ve probably used a device designed by West Pharmaceutical Services (NYSE:WST), according to VP & GM of biologics Graham Reynolds. “Probably most people have come in contact with West and they wouldn’t even know it,” he told Drug Delivery Business News. Over the 40 years he’s been […]