Innovative reusable autoinjector provides additional administration option for Enbrel users

Enbrel Mini single-dose prefilled cartridge with AutoTouch resuable autoinjector.

Amgen launches the Enbrel Mini single-dose prefilled cartridge with AutoTouch reusable autoinjector, which is ergonomically designed for patients.

The AutoTouch reusable autoinjector has an ergonomic design that includes features that were designed with patients in mind, including an ergonomic handle, a needle designed to stay hidden during the injection, a sensor to detect placement on skin, a speed switch with three injection speeds, a progress bar and a speaker. The AutoTouch reusable autoinjector is used with Enbrel Mini single-dose prefilled cartridges (50 mg/mL) that utilize a new drug formulation of Enbrel that was associated with substantially significant lower mean injection site pain than the current formulation.

"As a leader in the inflammation space, we continually strive to innovate to address real needs among the patients we serve. The first step in this is talking and listening to the community, both patients and healthcare professionals, to fully understand the challenges they are facing," said Sean E. Harper, executive vice president of R&D at Amgen. "These conversations highlighted the value of features that we believe enhance the patient experience. From there, the Enbrel Mini with AutoTouch and the new formulation were born."

Enbrel is an injectable biologic approved for the treatment of several chronic conditions including moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), moderate-to-severe polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (PsO) in patients 4 years or older.

"We are happy to award the Enbrel Mini cartridge with AutoTouch reusable autoinjector with our Ease of Use Commendation," said Cindy McDaniel, senior vice president, Consumer Affairs, The Arthritis Foundation. "This distinction is awarded to products proven to help people who have arthritis and other physical limitations."

The Enbrel Mini with AutoTouch was approved by the FDA in September 2017.

A Phase IIIb multicenter, randomized, double-blind, crossover study was conducted to assess the injection site pain associated with a modified etanercept formulation in adult patients with either moderate-to-severe RA or PsA. In addition to demonstrating a significant reduction in injection site pain, the adverse events were similar to those seen in previous studies in adults with moderate-to-severe RA and PsA.