Author George Perros, Greystone Research Associates managing director, explained that: “Until recently, autoinjectors were designed to be reused because their unit cost was too expensive to be successfully marketed as a throw-away device,”
“Recent improvements in materials technology and device design have led to the creation of a class of autoinjectors that can be made economically in production quantities. These autoinjectors, which can be marketed as single-use devices, are providing expanded opportunities for both patient and drug marketer.”
He also predicted that continued innovation in auto-injector design and manufacture, ranging from reduced part counts to greater use of automated production methods, “will result in price points for autoinjectors that will increase their market share of all PFS devices.”
Other growth drivers cited in the report include patient and regulatory demand for safe injection systems, the increasing number of drugs being made available in the prefilled syringe format and the expansion of the biologics sector.
Among those likely to welcome any growth of the auto-injector market are Vetter Pharma and West Pharmaceutical Services, both of which have sought to expand their offerings in this area in recent year.
In June 2009 Vetter expanded aseptic filling capacity, citing anticipated demand for auto-injectors as a factor, while West said that higher revenue from this type of technology was important in driving its business in fiscal 2010.
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