Handheld Devices that Target High Viscosity Drugs Expected to Benefit from Biologicals Growth

(Amherst, NH) - As biologicals continue to dominate the drug development landscape, their impact on the healthcare industry is beginning to be felt in unexpected ways. This class of drugs is primarily comprised of very large molecules that result in high viscosities, or resistance to flow. As a result they often must be delivered via IV infusion.

The increase in new drug approvals that require IV administration will soon begin to accelerate due to the impact of biologicals, putting pressure on patients and healthcare infrastructure alike. The complexities and costs of drug administration via infusion are much higher than for other methods such as injection. Patients who are prescribed drugs that must be delivered via infusion must often travel to an out-patient facility. While home infusion is growing, an individual trained in infusion is required to administer the drug. Without an alternative route of administration, infusibles as a share of all drugs is expected to increase significantly in the next five years.

A growing trend in the high viscosity drug segment is the focus on primary packaging in handheld delivery devices which allow caregivers and patients more flexibility and convenience. These developments place greater emphasis on designing a delivery system that can be used without special training and require drug and device developers to consider such factors as caregiver and patient capabilities and preferences, which can impact overall market success.

There are a number of therapeutic drug segments and individual drug classes with large user populations that are being delivered in legacy fashion. Such situations can provide exciting opportunities for handheld device market participants. The companies behind a number of infusible and injectable drugs are well-aware that drugs delivered intravenously have been so far bypassed by the evolution that has taken place in the subcutaneous space. We expect drug developers to be willing participants in discussions about possible collaborative projects with device suppliers that have validated technology, and business models that have not outstripped their resources.

The evolving high viscosity injectables sector and the devices that are being designed to deliver them are detailed in a new and comprehensive report researched and written by Greystone Research Associates. Handheld Devices for high Viscosity Injectables analyzes the global market for existing and emerging therapeutic drugs possessing viscosities that make them impractical for administration via traditional injection device classes, and examines devices that can address this growing unmet need. The report also analyzes demand drivers, development factors, market considerations, and strategic and economic factors, and provides profiles of market sector participants.

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


Source: Greystone Research Associates

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
Greystone Research Associates
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Amherst, NH 03031 USA
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Fax: 603-218-7020
www.greystoneassociates.org

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