Understanding Which Types Of Design Should Be Driving Innovation At Drug Delivery Device Suppliers

As market demand for self-injection devices, such as auto-injectors, continues to grow at a rapid pace, greater emphasis is now being placed on how device companies can innovate. This innovation centres on fulfilling the device needs of biopharmaceutical companies today and helping them bring their combination products to market. Steven Kaufman, Global Marketing Director, SHL Group, writes here about the importance of design innovations that are required to make a drug delivery device by focusing on the areas of mechanical design, industrial design and manufacturing design.

Innovation continues to be a word that is frequently used throughout various industries today. However, when taking into consideration the conservative nature of the biopharmaceutical industry and the device companies that work within that industry, introducing new and innovative technologies can take a significant amount of time to implement. Safety is always a priority and as a result, technologies that are proven on the market are generally preferred.

When launched, the DAI™ disposable auto-injector (shown in Figure 1) set a new standard within the industry. Not only was it easier to use and more intuitive than any other such device on the market, it incorporated some innovative safety solutions. A safety needle shield extended out after the injection was competed to help prevent needle-stick injuries. A larger viewing window gave patients the ability to check the biologic prior to injection and also see the coloured plunger rod when the injection was compete. A patented interlock also helped to ensure that the device would only inject when the patient was ready.