Merck Serono launches growth hormone injection device

Merck Serono has announced the launch of a unique growth hormone injection device, easypod, for the once-daily administration of Saizen (somatropin), the company's recombinant growth hormone deficiency therapy. easypod is the first of its kind in this therapeutic area and was designed to improve patients' ease of daily use, reliability and convenience.

It has been developed in conjunction with patients and healthcare professionals and as a result has been specifically designed to meet their needs and simplify patients' daily treatment.

Dr Jovanna Dahlgren, Assistant Professor, Queen Silvia's Children's Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden, said: "We are extremely encouraged by the response to easypod from our young patients and their parents, as well as from nurses and physicians. It has been extremely well received, bringing additional benefits to the often sensitive task of administering daily therapy to children and young adults and supporting their adherence to that therapy. Above all, this device is easy to use and reliable."

Hans Christian Rohde, current Head of Global Therapeutic Area, Endocrinology, Merck Serono, commented: "This breakthrough technology reaffirms our commitment to innovation in metabolic diseases, especially in growth hormone deficiencies where compliance is a major limitation to treatment success. This is a significant advance in our patient drug device portfolio in this therapeutic area that will support our efforts to improve patient treatment and will distinguish us from existing injection devices."

easypod is used in three simple key steps and delivers one daily injection subcutaneously to children and adults, designed to minimize discomfort and pain. The device enables healthcare professionals to pre-set dosing levels, reducing the possibility of dose miscalculation. No daily dose adjustment is required by the patient, and the injected dose is confirmed after delivery, giving the patients and their carers confidence in administration. The device also records the number of doses administered, allowing a physician to monitor patient compliance to therapy.

easypod has been approved in Europe and is already available in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Canada, Australia, Italy and Germany, where it has been met with an extremely positive response from patients and healthcare professionals alike. January 2007 onwards will see the roll out of the device in other regions around the world.

Comments

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.
Post a new comment
Post

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.

You might also like...
New study explores the potential of hormone therapy for opioid recovery