Wednesday, September 24, 2008
2008 R&D 100 Winner
It is estimated that between 1 in 4,000 and 1 in 10,000 children have growth hormone deficiency, which causes slow growth and, without treatment, can result in short stature as an adult. The treatment requires a daily injection of growth hormone, and the treatment lasts for several years.
Addressing the need for a growth hormone delivery device is the easypod from EMD Serono, Inc., Rockland, Mass. easypod is the first automated electromechanical device for subcutaneous injection of medicinal products. The following features help satisfy previously unmet patient needs: a dose confirmation screen that notifies patients when they have properly administered a partial or complete dose of their treatment; a treatment log of the date and specific dose of each injection, allowing healthcare professionals to monitor patient adherence, thereby providing them with the opportunity to adjust treatment plans without relying solely on patient feedback; and automatic dose adjustment over a series of cartridges, which adjusts the daily dose to account for instances when a partial dose is left in the cartridge, minimizing wasted product and maximizing treatment investment.
Technology
Automated electromechanical device
Developer
EMD Serono, Inc.
