Norwegian smart systems provider Thin Film Electronics (Thinfilm) has entered a collaboration with Swiss medical technology firm Ypsomed Group to develop new medical injection and infusion systems.
The systems will be designed to support the administration of medications with intelligent electronic and software-based additional functions.
Under the deal, Ypsomed intends to invest CHF50m ($51.2m) in the research and development of the injection and infusion systems.
The deal will see Thinfilm integrate its NFC OpenSense technology in YpsoMate autoinjectors to improve patient self-care compliance.
Ypsomed CEO Simon Michel said: "We believe Thinfilm’s NFC OpenSense can be of significant value to YpsoMate users across the globe, and we look forward to leveraging this next-generation technology to help improve patient adherence."
YpsoMate autoinjectors are disposable two-step injection systems, which have pre-filled glass or polymer syringes, and will be operated by push-on-skin activation.
Autoinjectors are used by patients to self-deliver periodic injections for ongoing management of chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or cardiovascular indications.
Thinfilm CEO Davor Sutija said: "Ypsomed is at the forefront of self-medication delivery systems, and it’s clear that a focus on user-friendly products and the patient experience has played a key role in their success."
Patients can receive compliance assistance such as adherence history, injection reminders, usage guidelines, refill instructions and authentication through the combination of the NFC OpenSense tags and a custom mobile app.
NFC OpenSense tags are thin and flexible labels that will detect the state before and after injection of the YpsoMate Smart autoinjector.
The content will be wirelessly delivered to patients through a smartphone and records patients’ interactions with the YpsoMate Smart device in the cloud.
Image: Thinfilm’s NFC OpenSense on Ypsomed’s YpsoMate autoinjector. Photo: courtesy of Business Wire / Thin Film Electronics.
