The World Market for Implantable and Needle-Free Drug Delivery Systems

In this report, the market is segmented into two main categories:

• Needle-free drug delivery
• Implantable drug delivery including sustained release and targeted drug delivery

All segments of the drug delivery arena are experiencing rapid evolution. This is particularly evident within the implantable/injectable drug delivery sector. Meeting the challenges of drug delivery that are present today with biopharmaceuticals and emerging drugs requires innovation from drug delivery manufacturers. The expanding occurrence of emerging drugs combined with increased sensitivity to clinical outcomes and healthcare costs are driving the need for alternative drug delivery methods and devices. An aging population, high healthcare costs and healthcare reform initiatives are major forces driving growth.

Drug delivery technology has come into its own in the last 25 years. Initially seen as merely a medium for a drug substance, drug delivery technologies are now viewed as tools for modifying the pharmacologic properties of drugs, improving methods of delivery, and targeting drugs to specific locations. Progress in the fields of microencapulation, polymer technology and nanoparticles now allow scientists to prolong the effect of drugs with short half-lives. Companies are developing a new generation of sophisticated delivery systems. Targeted delivery has already advanced with new polymer-based chemotherapy implants.The geographic scope of the report is worldwide. Numbers provided in this report represent global market sizes and revenues with no regional breakout. In terms of products, the report includes data on needle-free injection delivery and implantable delivery, which includes sustained release delivery and targeted delivery systems.

As part of its extensive coverage, this report provide the following information:

• Select Products in Development by Drug Delivery Companies
• Implantable Drug Delivery Market Size and Forecast
• Needle-free Drug Delivery Market Size and Forecast
• Selected Needle-free/Auto-injector Systems and Manufacturers
• Drug Delivery Systems by Pharmaceutical and Drug Delivery Component
• Selected Suppliers of Implantable/Injectable Drug Delivery Technology
• Cost per Million Injections by Injector Type
• Seven Important Conclusions About the Market
• Profiles of Injectable/Implantable and Needle-Free Drug Delivery Companies

Large pharmaceutical companies have realized that they can substantially extend the period of exclusivity (and the competitive edge) of their products that are about to lose patent protection by delivering them in a novel way. This leads to a competitive edge after patent expiration or patent extension. Patent issues are a major driver of the industry. This leads to the development of collaborations and acquisitions between Big Pharma companies and drug delivery companies. Pharmaceutical manufacturers are seeking alternatives to conventional delivery systems to introduce patients to innovative platforms that promote compliance and reduce risks. This is putting pressure on the drug delivery companies to meet the demands and remain competitive in the implantable/injectable drug delivery. Within the implantable/injectable drug delivery market, there are a number of competitors. Competition in the segment has increased over the past 10 years, with top delivery technology companies such as ALZA, Pacira, Bioject, and Alkermes.

Needle-free jet injection devices can and should play a major role in solving the problems of needle-stick injuries and needle phobia in the United States. However, the needle-free jet injector industry is struggling to overcome significant obstacles in this country and abroad before these devices become widely accepted and used for administering drugs and especially vaccines. Most needle-free jet injectors use metal springs, compressed air, or CO2 gas to power the injection. The device’s nozzle is held against the patient’s skin and once activated, the device injects a fine stream of the vaccine or drug at a high pressure into the skin. The most common orifice size is 0.127 mm, whereas that of a 25-gauge needle is 1 mm.

As the discovery and development of new drugs create the promise of relief and improved levels of care for a variety of chronic conditions, developers are increasingly aware of the need to pair these promising new therapies, more than half of which cannot be taken orally, with delivery methods that are patient-friendly and that encourage compliance. These combination products, in which the delivery device is an integral part of the approved drug therapy, must take into account the needs of a broad range of end users, including elderly patients and those with compromised dexterity, a rapidly-growing demographic segment of the population in developed countries. For many drug developers, the answer to this challenge will increasingly be needle-free injection. While the concept behind needle-free injection is uncomplicated, it has only been recently, with the convergence of synthetic materials and computerized design software that reliable and cost-effective devices have begun to appear. New designs currently being developed will create new opportunities for needle-free injection.

The technology continues to advance as needle-free company marketers are evolving, searching for a strategy that will achieve commercial success. Companies have invested in new device models that incorporate design enhancements and improved engineering. The new generation of devices are lighter, have a sleek profile, and employ warm colors.

The number of companies providing implantable/injectable drug delivery platforms continues to proliferate. The implantable/injectable drug delivery industry is comprised of companies seeking to develop novel alternatives to existing delivery systems, enhancements to existing systems, commercially enabling delivery systems that provide viable alternatives for therapeutics that are not fully developed and marketed because there are limited practical means of administration. This report provides profiles of the following companies

• Alkermes, Inc.
• Alza Corp.
• Antares Pharma, Inc.
• Bioject Medical Technologies, Inc.
• Crossject Sa
• Cydex, Inc.
• Evonik Industries Ag
• Glide Pharmaceutical Technologies Ltd.
• Mgi Pharma, Inc
• Nektar Therapeutics
• Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• Psivida
• Qlt, Inc
• Ypsomed Holding Ag
• Zogenix, Inc.

The research conducted by Kalorama included comprehensive research of secondary sources such as company literature, databases, investment reports, and medical and business journals. New technologies, market developments, and research and development trends and expenditures were identified through patent and database searches, as well as via interviews with key personnel. Person-to-person and telephone interviews were the primary method of gathering information. E-mail correspondence was also used in the interview process. Interviews with 16 key industry officials, trade association spokespersons, consultants, healthcare providers, and government personnel were compiled to form the primary basis of information—particularly revenue and market share data—presented in this report.

This market analysis does not include drug-eluding stents or regular syringes. All market data pertain to the worldwide market at the manufacturers’ level and are measured in U.S. dollars. The base year for data was 2012. Historical data are provided for 2010 and 2011, with forecast data provided for 2013 through 2017. Compound annual growth rates are provided for three periods: 2010–2012, 2012–2017, and 2010–2017.