Convergence
of drug delivery and diagnostics technology
will be key by 2025
The
increasing sophistication of drug
delivery and diagnostic products will
result in the convergence of these
complimentary technologies, enabling
drug delivery to be better tailored
to individual patients. This will
improve the efficacy of drugs and
reduce the overall cost of treatment.
Furthermore this approach will also
address a major issue raised by the
medical profession - the need for
more evidence from pharmaceutical
companies to clearly demonstrate the
long-term economic and therapeutic
benefits of new device technology.
These findings
are from Cambridge Consultants’
report into the future of the respiratory
drug delivery market, which summarises
a recent workshop that attracted senior
decision-makers from across the industry.
Delegates were asked to develop a
shared view of what they saw as critically
important to the industry over the
next 20-year horizon and what the
industry’s attention should
be focussed on. In addition to the
subjects of convergence and long-term
evidence, other market issues highlighted
include:
- The growing
over-the-counter market segment
will become increasingly consumer-driven
and will focus on delivery routes
(favouring inhalation and oral over
injection), product design and marketing.
Meanwhile the prescription market
will continue to be driven by clinicians
and will be focussed on cost.
- The group
felt that developed nations should
consider moving from their current
tax-funded and voluntary private
medical systems and closer to the
Swedish social insurance system,
where healthcare funding is directly
linked to tax contributions. Although
this change may discourage some
more expensive developments, it
would result in tighter cost control
and provide a more holistic view
of the total cost of treatment.
Brian Barney,
author of the report and head of Cambridge
Consultants’ drug delivery division,
commented, "An interesting outcome
from the workshop was that the industry
as a whole sees the convergence of
diagnostics and delivery as critically
important over the next 20 years.
This collaboration will lead to better
drug delivery, as the patient can
be monitored before and after usage
and we can make sure that they are
getting the treatment that they need."
He added, "Over the next 20 years
one thing is for certain – the
leading innovators will be the ones
that use these novel technologies
to rapidly develop simple and intuitive
products that save lives."
The report
titled ‘Where will respiratory
delivery be in 20 years?’ can
be requested free of charge from:
www.CambridgeConsultants.com/fm_drugdelivery.shtml
Notes for editors:
Cambridge Consultants has, for over
40 years, 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 200 engineers,
scientists and consultants, in offices
in Cambridge (UK) and Boston (USA),
we are able to offer solutions across
a diverse range of industries including
healthcare, industrial and consumer
products, automotive, transport, energy
and wireless communications.
