Applied Data Research Study Finds Therapy-Specific Devices and Patient-Centered Design Focus Creating New Opportunities

(Nashua, NH) – The ability of patients to reliably and consistently self-administer injectable drugs has become a critical element in healthcare planning and disease management, particularly for chronic conditions. By combining the therapeutic potential of biological drugs with patient-friendly delivery devices that are increasingly designed for a specific drug delivery application, drug delivery pens are creating a paradigm shift in patient care for the long-term management of intractable and refractory ailments. Many of these therapeutic targets represent significant and growing healthcare markets, and include diabetes, anemia, HCV, and several autoimmune illnesses.  

In spite of the significantly higher unit cost of the current generation of pen injectors relative to disposable syringes, the high cost of recombinant drugs and the savings associated with improved patient compliance and avoiding periodic caregiver visits for lifelong conditions make the overall economics of combination pen/drug devices favorable and in some cases compelling. Autoinjectors that work with prefilled disposable syringes are also gaining interest. The recent introduction of fully disposable, pre-assembled (prefilled disposable syringe in a disposable autoinjector) devices will experience growth by filling an important market niche.  

While most new injectable drugs initially reach the market in vials or prefilled syringes, a significant number are re-labeled to include pen injection within two years of approval. In several important therapeutic sectors, pens and autoinjectors now account for more than half of all injections. As new biological drugs continue their way through the development and clinical trial process to commercialization, opportunities for pen injectors and autoinjectors will continue to evolve and drive growth in this sector.

Source: Applied Data Research