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Ronny Allan
Update 11th Jan 2024. Ipsen decided to change the name for Somatuline Autogel to Lanreotide Ipsen. Clearly to distinguish its product from the generics now rolling out. Not seen similar yet for Somatuline Depot (US).
An Electronic Autoinjector for Somatuline® Autogel® / Somatuline® Depot (lanreotide) – now that sounds exiting.
It doesn’t seem that long since we got the new improved injection delivery system for the current model of Lanreotide. I had to look at my blog articles for the announcement of that and was surprised it was way back in 2019. It may be a shorter time period for many though, UK was near the front of that rollout. I personally found the new injection a better experience and I know the nurses were happier too. However, I also know there was some disappointment that the injection gauge and length were the same and therefore there was little change for many in terms of the ‘experience’. Speaking from a personal perspective, there was not sufficient change for me to consider moving to self-inject. I know (at least in UK) Ipsen is keen to move as many people as possible over to self-inject, most likely to reduce costs on the Ipsen Homezone programme – I get that. I think the next generation delivery system could well be a game-changer in that department, read more below.
Disclaimer
I am not a doctor or any form of medical professional, practitioner or counsellor. None of the information on my website, or linked to my website(s), or conveyed by me on any social media or presentation, should be interpreted as medical advice given or advised by me.
Neither should any post or comment made by a follower or member of my private group be assumed to be medical advice, even if that person is a healthcare professional.
Please also note that mention of a clinical service, trial/study or therapy does not constitute an endorsement of that service, trial/study or therapy by Ronny Allan, the information is provided for education and awareness purposes and/or related to Ronny Allan’s own patient experience. This element of the disclaimer includes any complementary medicine, non-prescription over the counter drugs and supplements such as vitamins and minerals.
Finally
Whenever I post about a trial or study, some people get excited without understanding that these new treatments and capabilities can very often take years to come to fruition and it’s also possible that clinical trials can be halted, or that national approval agencies will not approve the final product. Plus, not everyone will be eligible, so always check the exclusion and inclusion criteria in the relevant clinical trials document. Please bear that in mind when reading studies/clinical trials posted on RonnyAllan.NET
Ipsen Press Release: March 16, 2022 2:30 AM
- New electronic autoinjector is designed to improve patient experience for people living with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, carcinoid syndrome or acromegaly
- Performance and safety studies ongoing, with first launches for the new device expected in 2024
- A fourth-generation Somatuline® Autogel® / Somatuline® Depot device building on Ipsen’s 20 years’ heritage to date
Ipsen (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY) announced today it will invest in a new state-of-the-art electronic autoinjector for Somatuline® Autogel® / Somatuline® Depot (lanreotide), to deliver further innovation in the class with the aim of improving administration and the injection experience for patients. The new device will be made in collaboration with Phillips-Medisize, global leaders in drug-delivery design, development and manufacturing solutions, and will be accompanied by enhanced investment in Ipsen’s Signes manufacturing site in France.
Despite advances in technology, real-world evidence suggests people living with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors or acromegaly often still experience pain and discomfort when receiving injections. The enhanced delivery system will improve the patient experience through administration of Somatuline Autogel / Somatuline Depot via its motorized device comprised of a re-usable electronic injector and a disposable cartridge with significantly thinner injection needle allowing for a controlled and sustained injection. The new device aims to further improve the injection experience, especially for caregivers and eligible patients who may choose independent administration of Somatuline Autogel, for example at home.
Ipsen’s extensive experience with Somatuline Autogel / Somatuline Depot has offered deep insights into the challenges of living with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, carcinoid syndrome or acromegaly. Advances in administration are important as they have the potential to help ease the physical challenges of treatment for the patient, caregiver and their healthcare team, especially for patients who are on long-term treatment regimens.
Studies evaluating the performance and the safety of the new device are ongoing. A study assessing injection-site pain and device safety is expected to start in the first half of 2023 and will evaluate patient-reported outcomes and satisfaction. Details of this study will be available once the selected centers have been finalized in H2 2022 and I will bring you this as soon as it is published. The new device is anticipated to reach the first patients in 2024
View source version here Ipsen Press Release
One of my alerts stated that Ipsen was intending to use an autoinjector device provided by a company called Phillips Medisize. I can see from other searches on Phillips Medisize that they announced this product in 2021 as a “low-waste digital drug delivery device”. I’m confidentially going to suggest the improved Lanreotide is going to be based on the “The Aria smart autoinjector” (which includes a + model). I’m not saying the improved Lanreotide will look exactly like this but if my prediction is accurate, I don’t see how it can be much different. If you keep reading, you will see why. I quoted above from an Ipsen newsletter that the device has two components: firstly, the reusable autoinjector part and secondly the disposable part containing the drug and needle. I also said it was the electronic injector was re-useable and the drug part was a single use cassette type affair than can be discarded as medical waste (perhaps in sharps bins). Perhaps the cassette drug element might look different from the one in the picture below. The marketing for this product alludes to an app being available but that would not necessarily be required for Lanreotide (tbc). 
Click here for more info on the Phillips Medisize Aria smart autoinjector.
Summary
From above we know there will be an electronic injector of some sort and I suspect that will be operated by a button push. It has green credentials in that the electronic injector section is re-usable (the example above is said to have a battery life of 3 years) but there is a disposable cartridge that I suspect will contain the needle and the drug. I also know it will be a “significantly” thinner needle, welcome news for many. Ipsen predicts the new device will further improve the injection experience and perhaps the combination of these changes will make self-injection a much simpler and less anxious choice. Clinical trials are likely to start in 2023 and I will of course bring you those details as soon as they are published. This is most likely to be an international trial given Ipsen’s reach.
I’ll keep my ear to the ground for future updates.
Read about my own experience with Lanreotide since 2010 by clicking here or on the picture below. 
Disclaimer
I am not a doctor or any form of medical professional, practitioner or counsellor. None of the information on my website, or linked to my website(s), or conveyed by me on any social media or presentation, should be interpreted as medical advice given or advised by me.
Neither should any post or comment made by a follower or member of my private group be assumed to be medical advice, even if that person is a healthcare professional.
Please also note that mention of a clinical service, trial/study or therapy does not constitute an endorsement of that service, trial/study or therapy by Ronny Allan, the information is provided for education and awareness purposes and/or related to Ronny Allan’s own patient experience. This element of the disclaimer includes any complementary medicine, non-prescription over the counter drugs and supplements such as vitamins and minerals.
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This does look like a good upgrade! I wonder if it is a thinner needle if the injection time will be longer than 20 seconds and if the viscosity of the drug will still be the same. For me it’s not the injection itself that is painful but for a time after it is complete I have a sore spot usually with a lump.
we probably need to wait for the solution as they have only launched the project a week now. Ipsen must be confident though, given the amount of money they are investing
I would certainly welcome something like this for Sandostatin! Here in Canada, the provider has recently terminated the in-home injection program. Patients who live in cities can attend associated clinics for their injections, but those of us who live further afield have had to make our own arrangements. I now drive 15 minutes to my doctor’s office where either the doctor himself or one of his nurses administer it. At this point, none of them have been trained in giving this injection and are simply following the instructions on the product monograph. Not an entirely happy situation!
After ten years of Sandostatin LAR and then losing the nurse (the trip to an injection site in TO was no problem for me) I was just switched to Lanreotide and had my first shot two weeks ago, again with a nurse visiting me. Felt better than the double shot ( 30 + 30 each side lately of Sandostatin). In the ten years we had a few blocked needles and re-trys, plus I got to know about seven nurses over time. To change from one to the other was a bit of paperwork, but is all sorted out now. Will see what changes for me, if anything.