Taiwan-based auto-injector manufacturer Scandinavian Health (SHL Group) believes that besides having advanced alternative drug delivery technologies, the number of injectable drugs would be substantially large in the future. There will be a new approach to design and convenience, painless modes of injectables and customization of method will be the priority.

Analyzing the market opportunities, mainly in the US and Europe, SHL is strengthening its position as the market leader in auto-injectors. SHL has launched three auto-injector devices, disposable auto-injectors, precision pen injectors and Molly auto injectors this year and plans to launch several others in the next 18 months.

"Clearly, the demand for auto-injectors will increase significantly with a large number of biologics coming to the market. To respond to this ever-increasing demand, SHL is expanding its pipeline of devices by investing more in design expertise and R&D," says Mr Steven Kaufman, marketing director, SHL,Taiwan.

SHL is planning to get more involved in areas, such as human factors engineering, so that the devices meet the needs of patient groups across the world. Looking at the market opportunities of auto-injectors, SHL is expanding its operations in Taiwan, Sweden and the US to ensure its capacity in order to meet the rising demand.

Similarly, global leader Roche, which has a large portfolio of biologics, believes that development of combination products with injection devices is an important development and a lucrative business area.