Nemaura Pharma‘s Memspatch insulin micro-needle device compared well against a pen injector in an 18-patient clinical trials, according to the company.

The group of Type I diabetic patients were given insulin using either the Memspatch device or a traditional pen injector. Researchers evaluated the patient’s pain levels using a number pain rating score from 0 to 10. Patients were also asked to record their experiences with the devices and to reflect on the pain immediately following administration.

Pain intensity and sharpness reached 5 for several patients using the pen injector. Patients who used the Memspatch device reported a 0 or 1 when it was applied to the arm or thigh, according to Nemaura.

The Memspatch insulin delivery device administers insulin through shallow micro-needles, with skin-penetration kept to a depth of 2 millimeters to 4 millimeters. Pen injector needles often penetrate 9 millimeters into the skin.

“Needle phobia is a major barrier to health. We have looked carefully at the human factors restricting diabetics wanting to self-administer insulin, and have developed the Memspatch IMD to avoid puncture pain, and to improve treatment compliance,” CEO Faz Chowdhury said in prepared remarks. “Over 50% of adults with Type II diabetes delay starting insulin due to needle fear, and over 90% feel fear reactions every time they inject. So we would encourage the take-up of Memspatch IMD technology to help diabetics better manage their condition.”

The company is slated to evaluate its Memspatch device with other medicines later this year.