Upsizing autoinjectors for patient independence with new treatments

Summary

Higher-dose and larger-volume subcutaneous therapies are creating opportunities to extend self-administration to treatments traditionally reliant on intravenous delivery. Increasing autoinjector capacity, however, involves more than simply enlarging the device, particularly when sensitive biologics place additional demands on the primary container. This article examines cartridges as an alternative to conventional pre-filled syringes (PFS) and how SHL Medical’s Needle Isolation Technology (NIT) enables their use in a simple, needle-hidden autoinjector. It also explores how this cartridge-based approach can accommodate larger delivery volumes and diverse formulation requirements while maintaining a familiar self-injection experience.

Key takeaways

• Primary container selection becomes an important consideration as autoinjectors move toward larger delivery volumes, particularly for sensitive biologics.  
• Compared with PFS with staked needles, cartridges have less material in direct contact with the drug, do not use tungsten, and are better suited to high-temperature baked siliconization.  
• NIT removes the need for manual needle attachment in cartridge-based autoinjectors while maintaining a needle-hidden injection experience for the user. 
• NIT provides control over cannula gauge and length, allowing injection depth and delivery time to be adjusted for different delivery requirements. 
• Cartridge-based autoinjectors can accommodate specialty formulations, including lyophilized drugs and suspensions.

Document details

• Format: Article
• Author/Spokesperson: Gary Calderwood, Product Manager, SHL Medical
• Page count: 3 pages
• Estimated read time: ~6–7 minutes