Because they cannot tolerate the first-pass metabolism of the digestive tract, the recent escalation in new biological drugs, including antibodies and recombinant proteins, is placing renewed emphasis on drug injection. Now a number of factors are converging to create both risk and opportunity for parenteral drug makers and their device partners. These include new classes of drugs for previously refractory conditions, the growing trend toward self-administration for chronic diseases, shifting patient demographics in industrial countries, caregiver safety legislation, and continued pressure to control healthcare costs. These factors are giving rise to a new generation of sophisticated, application-specific disposable injection devices designed to satisfy caregiver and patient preferences while addressing managed care initiatives and the limitations of new classes of therapeutic drugs. Because of their ability to safety and reliably satisfy treatment protocols and compliance goals, these new devices will have a significant impact on the future of patient care.

Publication Date: February 2007