Sanofi-Aventis announces European launch of disposable insulin pens

Sanofi-Aventis has announced the launch of its SoloStar disposable insulin pens for patients with type one and type two diabetes. The SoloStar pen can be used with 24-hour insulin product Lantus and rapid-acting insulin drug Apidra.

Having previously received approval from the European Commission, the Lantus SoloStar and Apidra SoloStar products will be made available in Europe from April 2007.

The company reports that the SoloStar pens reduce the force of injection by 30 per cent or higher compared to similar products to be of use to all diabetes patients and those with lower grip strength in particular.

SoloStar pens have an adjustable dose-dispensing mechanism with a range of up to 80 units variable in single-unit increments.

Gilles Lhernould, senior vice president of industrial affairs, said: “Lantus SoloStar and Apidra SoloStar are the results of over four years of intensive development and testing.”

He added that the firm had received input from physicians and diabetes patients in its design of the product which it hoped would meet the needs of users.

In June 2006, Sanofi-Aventis reported the results of a new study showing that Lantus was as effective as prandial insulin lispro in initiating insulin therapy in patients with type two diabetes while being better tolerated.