Oval's Innovative Autoinjector Enables Delivery of High-Viscosity Formulations

April 18, 2013

Adeline Siew is editor for Pharmaceutical Technology Europe. She is also science editor for Pharmaceutical Technology.

Oval Medical Technologies, an autoinjector company based in Cambridge, UK, reported that a variety of highly viscous solutions have been successfully delivered through a 25-gauge thin-wall needle, in less than 7 seconds, using its innovative autoinjector. The technology provides solutions to problems in the industry for drug containment and the end user.

Viscosity is a challenge for many biopharmaceutical formulators given that a number of biologics are highly viscous. The automatic delivery of high-viscosity drugs is an important milestone for parenteral drug delivery. There is currently no known such device on the market that can deliver such high viscosities.

According to a press release by the company, "there has been no effective way of delivering high-viscosity drugs through a prefilled syringe, without extreme pain to the patient (due a large needle bore) and physical discomfort." Oval novel innovation now offers potential for drugs to be administered by the patient in the comfort of their own home.