A New Dimension: Balancing Biologic Limitations And Patient Perceptions For An Enhanced Injection Experience

By: Enrico Barichello and Carlo Valbonesi

As injectable drug development progresses, Stevanato Group addresses the challenges of delivering high-viscosity drugs, especially for chronic conditions, by innovating needle designs to enhance patient experience. Their special thin-wall (sTW) needles come in both 12.7 mm and 8 mm lengths with expanded internal diameters, reducing injection force without increasing pain. The 8 mm sTW needle, in particular, minimizes discomfort and injection force, which is crucial for patients who self-inject or experience needle anxiety.

The Stevanato Group conducted a human factors study with 43 participants, including healthcare professionals, caregivers, experienced self-injectors, and new self-injectors, to evaluate the usability of the 8 mm sTW needle against traditional designs. Results indicated strong preference for the 8 mm sTW needle among patients due to its reduced push force and shorter length, with higher confidence in ease and comfort, particularly for self-administration. Caregivers and healthcare providers showed balanced preferences, favoring the reduced force of sTW designs and the familiarity of standard 12.7 mm length.

The design also reduces the risk of intramuscular injections, important for thinner-skinned patients like children. Stevanato Group’s innovations offer an essential step forward in creating injectable drug delivery systems that align with patient needs, reducing the discomfort, frequency, and complexity of injections, and ultimately supporting treatment adherence among chronic patients.