Responding to Competitive Factors Drug Injection Device Suppliers Continue to Innovate

AMHERST, N.H. - Nov. 13, 2018 - PRLog -- As pharmaceutical companies struggle to position their products in the direct-to-consumer marketing era, the trend toward combining functionality and packaging in drug delivery systems is growing. Innovative drug delivery systems allow pharmaceutical companies to differentiate drug products from competitors. This is essential at a time when many patents are running out and competition among the manufacturers of generic medicines is increasing. As new injectables receive marketing approval, the global market for drug injection will reach 7.8 billion devices annually in 2026.

The correlation between chronic conditions and the benefits of patient self-administration continues to influence therapeutic product decisions, managed care initiatives and regulatory actions.  For chronic conditions compliance has a direct effect on the patient's quality-of-life. Injectable devices with increased functionality and features address the natural desire of patients for simplicity and encourage enhanced adherence and appropriate behavior. New features that are increasingly being integrated into injection devices include dose memory, dose time stamping, selectable cartridge concentration, and audible prompts. Markets include OEM devices and aftermarket add-on dose reminders.

As the administration of injectables moves increasingly from practitioner offices and healthcare facilities to patient homes, decisions regarding as-supplied packaging that were once considered boilerplate have moved to the early stages of the development process. A wide spectrum of device attributes, including form factor, device-patient interaction, security and safety, dosing, activation, off-device communication, and drug formulation factors have been incorporated into drug injection devices. Over time, these initiatives will come to be expected by patients in injectable drugs.

This trend is having a significant impact on the therapeutic drug development process. Specialty Injectable formulation and packaging decisions are increasingly being based on the results of human engineering inputs and patient preference research. Branding and packaging choices are more frequently being driven by data sources historically employed by consumer product marketers. For drug developers and device suppliers, the implications of these factors are influencing product development methodology and changing supply chain relationships.

Drug developers seeking to compete in this market by packaging their injectable formulations in prefilled devices need an understanding of the unique technology and business factors defining this sector. The prefilled syringe ecosystem has evolved to consist of several segments that include syringe component suppliers, syringe manufacturers, and contract filling companies. Within these layers are specialty service providers that include formulation technology developers, device designers, and physical properties testing. For small-to–mid size companies, many of these functions are outsourced. Because of the complexity of this ecosystem relative to vial packaging, the decision to develop an injectable for administration with a prefilled device is being made earlier in the drug development cycle, as product managers and marketers realize the need to take full advantage of combination product opportunities.

Drug injection devices and the drugs they delivery are having a significant impact on healthcare therapeutics. These developments are detailed in a new and comprehensive report researched and written by Greystone Research Associates. The report – Drug Injection Devices to 2026 (https://www.greystoneassociates.org/drug-injection-device...) – analyzes the drug device landscape, including products, technology, therapies, strategies and supply chains. It also examines device market share, and the product activities of sector participants.

More information is available at http://www.greystoneassociates.org

About Greystone

Greystone Research Associates is a medical technology consulting firm focused on the areas of medical market strategy, product commercialization, venture development, and market research. We assist medical and healthcare market participants in achieving their business objectives through the creation of detailed development strategies, product commercialization programs, and comprehensive market and technology research and analysis. Our market research publications are designed, researched and written to provide timely and insightful information and data on focused market segments, with the aim of providing market participants with the essential knowledge to refine and execute their marketing plans and financial targets.

Contact:

Mark Smith

Voice: 603-595-4340

www.greystoneassociates.org

Source: Greystone Research Associates