Abbott’s new Humira delivery device approved

Abbott Laboratories has said the FDA has approved a delivery device for its anti-inflammatory drug, Humira.

Humira, prescribed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), is currently injected via prefilled syringes. The new Humira Pen, however, has no visible needle and is designed to provide a less painful injecting experience. In a study of 52 Humira patients, nine out of ten said they preferred the pen over the syringe, while eight out ten regarded the pen as a less painful form of treatment.

Alan Kivitz, a rheumatologist and founder of the Altoona Centre for Clinical Research, commented: “Injectable medications are among the most effective treatments we have for RA and PsA, but nobody enjoys receiving an injection.”

“The Humira Pen is an important advance because it offers people a convenient administration option to treat their disease,” he added.

Rebecca Hoffman, divisional vice-president of Abbott’s immunology development section, stated: “With the approval of the Humira Pen, Abbott furthers its goal of empowering patients to treat these potentially debilitating autoimmune diseases as conveniently as possible.”

Humira was developed by Cambridge Antibody Technology and was licensed to Abbott.

Syringes today have coatings and finer points which makes injecting less painful and easier, according to the American Diabetes Society. Other injection technologies available include pens like the Humira Pen, and jet injectors, where the drug is fired through the skin at high pressure and into the bloodstream.

© Adfero Ltd