Medical devices are getting “smarter”. I have written a few times on this blog about Cambridge Consultants and some of their work, namely the Blue Tooth Inhaler. Not only is the product a delivery device, but it is also data reporting and capable. You can read more about the device here. One 
other good article to review here relates to a study at UCLA, participatory sensing, which relates to these types of devices and how in fact they are used and become part of every day healthcare, good study going on there.
Participatory Sensing – Medical Devices Reporting Data
With recent clinical trials and FDA approvals that I post here, I am seeing more and more moving towards an inhalant type of delivery system, things like insulin, asthma relief drugs, and even migraine relief and hypertension. Patches are another delivery method with more work in progress. You can search this blog and find quite a few posts related. (Use the new Google search, it is very fast and efficient)
If you visit their website you will see we are moving forward at a rapid pace and no longer is a lot of what used to think of Sci-Fi just that, many of these items are here today and thus the way we monitor and take our medications in the future is also on a speeding rocket for change. Change is everywhere and touches every part of our lives and the future of healthcare too. BD
Technology is key for the future of drug delivery, says panel of industry experts
New drug delivery report identifies optimism in the market for technology innovation, but cautions about emerging environmental regulations
There is growing market potential for the integration of electronic functionality into devices which will improve patient outcomes, says a panel of industry experts in an influential report launched today.
The report, ‘2020: a new drug delivery landscape’, provides a summary of the proceedings at two workshops, hosted by Cambridge Consultants and attended by industry experts from across the drug delivery and pharmaceuticals industries, including representatives from ‘big pharma’ companies like Astra Zeneca, Novartis and GSK, as well as smaller drug delivery start-ups. Held in Boston, US and Leicestershire, UK in April 2009, the workshops focused on the key issues and opportunities that will influence the drug delivery industry over the next 10 years.
According to the report’s findings, devices with advanced electronic functionality are expected to take an increasing share of the systemic delivery market in the next few years, constituting a major growth opportunity for innovative companies. One perspective, particularly prevalent in the US, is that complex electronic technologies are maturing, enabling both regulators and pharma companies to gain the level of confidence in such systems needed for broad acceptance.
On a cautionary note, delegates from Europe pointed to increasing regulation surrounding waste and environmental impact. Issues such as battery and micro-electronics disposal will require specific measures if they are not to impede the proliferation of such advanced devices.
Andrew Diston, Global Medtech Practice Leader at Cambridge Consultants, said, “The world of pharmaceutical delivery is poised to realize many of the benefits of technological advances from other industries, where standards are reaching towards the requirements for medical applications. These workshops identified much optimism in the market. Reliable micro-electronics platforms may provide significant additional functionality and connectivity for new delivery devices, providing great opportunities for innovative pharma companies and new start ups alike to play a part in this healthcare revolution.”
Delegates did, however, observe that, while there is currently a severe shortage in investment capital to fund such innovation, the bigger picture for the long term was more hopeful. Andrew Diston adds, “Governments in Europe and the US are carefully considering the impact of an aging population and increasing chronic disease on the future cost of healthcare. The result of this will be a renewed effort to make healthcare expenditure go further, which will mean a renewed focus on efficient systems that deliver better patient outcomes. The future leaders in this new market may be those companies that capitalize on the opportunity to significantly improve patient outcomes through enhanced device functionality.”
To view a full copy of the Drug Delivery Workshop 2009 report, please visit http://www.cambridgeconsultants.com/fm_drug_delivery_09.html
---------------------------
Cambridge Consultants develops breakthrough products, creates and licenses intellectual property, and provides business consultancy in technology critical issues for clients worldwide. For nearly 50 years, the company has enabled its clients to turn business opportunities into commercial successes, whether launching first-to-market products, entering new markets or expanding existing markets through the introduction of new technologies.
With a team of over 300 engineers, designers, scientists and consultants, in offices in Cambridge (UK) and Boston (USA), Cambridge Consultants offers solutions across a diverse range of industries including medical technology, industrial and consumer products, transport, energy, cleantech and wireless communications. In 2009, the company was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade. For more information visit: www.CambridgeConsultants.com
Cambridge Consultants is part of Altran, the European leader in innovation and high technology consulting. The Group’s 17,500 consultants, operating worldwide, cover the entire range of engineering specialties, including electronics, information technology, quality and organization. Altran offers its clients ongoing support throughout the innovation cycle, from technology watch, applied basic research and management consulting to industrial systems engineering and information systems. The Group provides services to most industries, including the automotive, aeronautics, space, life sciences and telecommunications sectors. Founded in 1982, Altran operates in 20 priority countries. In 2008, it generated a turnover of €1,650 million. For more information visit: www.altran.com
0 comments :
Post a Comment