Enable Injections, a drug delivery combination product company developing advanced wearable devices for subcutaneous delivery of high-volume therapeutics, has entered into development agreements with Apellis Pharmaceuticals, and most recently, UCB. The company currently has partnerships with five companies to deliver products that shift treatment to the home with self-administration of new large-volume drugs.
 
The rapidly growing pipeline of large-volume therapeutics, with thousands in development, is comprised of a range of products, many first-in-class. Of these, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) account for 50% of the top 100 drugs and are projected to maintain their dominant position in treating a broad range of diseases including various cancers, autoimmune disorders, and genetic diseases.
 
Enable Injections’ enFuse body-worn delivery platform is designed to overcome the barriers to delivering viscous, concentrated, large-molecule formulations. enFuse offers subcutaneous administration of large 5 mL to 50 mL doses that the company says can replace more costly intravenous infusions necessitating a trip to a healthcare facility.
 
“Because enFuse frees patients to self-administer at home, it greatly enhances patient experience and overall patient value,” said Jeff Wren, UCB’s Head, Neurology Patient Value Unit. “enFuse is the right answer for patient needs, which makes it a great addition to our program.”
 
“We are conducting human clinical trials using the enFuse technology to deliver our novel complement immunotherapies subcutaneously,” said Cedric Francois, chief executive officer, Apellis Pharmaceuticals. “With our broad therapeutic application, we are excited to partner with Enable to bring promising new therapies with a more patient-centric drug delivery system to patients in need.”
 
Patient feedback on their treatment experience will be considered by regulatory agencies when the appropriate data is collated. According to Enable, for patients with chronic and often asymptomatic conditions, it is often the delivery, not the drug, that defines their experience and adherence to ongoing therapy.
 
Michael Hooven, president and chief executive officer, Enable Injections, said, “Pharmaceutical companies racing to improve outcomes and be recognized as patient-centric are realizing the symbiosis between drug and delivery. They are partnering with Enable Injections to improve the patient experience, with the aim of increasing adherence and achieving the outcomes necessary for commercial success.”