Wearable Injector; a New Class of Drug Delivery Device Designed For Subcutaneous Delivery

Wearable injectors (WIs) are medical devices used to administer larger volumes (more than 2 mL) of drug subcutaneously over an extended period. Wearable injectors are of three types, such as on-body, off-body, and hand-held. On-body injectors, also known as on-body delivery systems, are used to deliver a pre-measured amount of drug, often automatically via a needle, which means the patient cannot miss a treatment or incorrectly adhere their own medicine. Whereas, large volume wearable injectors have the potential to store large quantities of drugs.

These injectors are designed to stick to the body and deliver pre-measured amount of medicine subcutaneously over an extended period of time. As this is relatively a new technology of drug administration, appropriate care must be taken to protect patients and optimize performance in different scenarios. There have been unprecedented advances in the pharma sector in the past few years, with increasingly innovative drugs being brought to the market every day. However, both the cost and complexity of these new devices have increased the pressure to shift drug administration from traditional settings to more cost-effective options.

Since wearable injectors are expected to be used in more clinics and hospitals than are currently used, it is expected that more pharma companies will try to penetrate the market and drive up the demand. For example, in February 2020, Becton, Dickinson and Company, the U.S.-Based Medical Device Company, announced the completion of a 50-subject human clinical trial with the BD Libertas Wearable Injector, designed to deliver biologics with viscosities up to 50 cP in 2-5 mL and 5-10 mL configurations. Moreover, in February 2021, Phillips-Medisize and Subcuject collaborated to bring a wearable bolus injector to the market.

Wearable injectors have capacity to hold the drug volume of up to 2.5 ml. They are easy to handle, disposable, low cost, and allow self-administration, and they are safe and convenient for those who have needle phobia. Wearable or bolus injectors are designed specifically for the easy distribution of medicines through the skin.