Last September, the firm launched its Autoinfusers, custom configurations of which can inject or infuse doses as large as 15ml over a pre-set period of time. The devices were developed in conjunction with a selection of pharma companies.
Now after receiving a flood of demand from biologics developers who require their molecules to be delivered in high dosage forms the firm is developing the range, and has launched the device publically for the first time at last week’s Pharmapack Europe 2012.
Stephen Allan, VP of marketing and communications at Unilife, told in-PharmaTechnologist: “Many biologics manufacturers require the administration of large volume dose, but conventional delivery systems cannot keep pace with the emerging needs.
“Recently we were approached by several pharmaceutical companies who had a specific need, and that’s where the Autoinfuser range came from. Since then we have been swamped with demand from a lot of other pharma companies who also have unmet needs.”
He added that Unilife is now working with a number of companies on variations to the platform, including devices specialising in fixed dose therapies and those capable of dealing with rate based delivery.
The 3ml and 5ml versions are now available for use in human clinical drug trials. “We expect to be supplying this to many pharma companies in the near future,” Allan said.
He said that the firm will work closely with existing partners, including a number of the leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in the world.
Of the hunt for new alliances, Allan added that Unilife will look not only to Big Pharma, but also to small to mid-sized companies with “focused molecules”.